BRIT School - History

History

Mark Featherstone-Witty had been inspired by Alan Parker's 1980s film Fame to create a secondary school specialising in the performing arts. By the time he started trying to raise money through The School for Performing Arts Trust (SPA), he had refined a novel integrated curriculum. He approached Richard Branson to be the Project Champion who had agreed, but would only do so if other record companies chipped in. As it happened, The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) were concerned with home taping and realised they had no political influence to bring the necessary pressure to bear. The Conservative Government needed to give impetus to their flagging City Technology College scheme.

Over 20 years, the BRIT School has been the beneficiary of more than £7 million from the British Record industry, with a substantial annual contribution from the proceeds of the Brit Awards, administered via the record industry’s charity, The BRIT Trust.

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