East London Arts & Music Academy (ELAM)

ELAM is a world-class 16-19 Academy which opened in September 2014. ELAM offers young people everything that they will need to lead successful lives within the music, games design and film and television sectors. We are based in Bromley-by-Bow, have Trainees from every borough in London and we are diverse in every way. 

Our vision is that all children in the uk should see themselves reflected in uk culture. To do this we see our role as recruiting talented young creatives who, once they succeed, would diversify and ensure the creative industries are more representative.

We believe this can be achieved by increasing the access routes into those industries for talented young people. However, unlike many other industries, it is not always clear how to get into these jobs and therefore there is often a lack of diversity within these sectors. Increasing the access routes to everyone will therefore increase the quality of talent and the continued growth of the sector long term.

Principal

Matt Sheldon

We don't do this alone

We have partnered with sector-leading organisations including YouTube, Universal Music, The BPI, Grain Media and Creative Assembly to devise a curriculum that will develop the future leaders of these sectors by meeting the relevant knowledge, skills and cultural demands. The involvement of these organisations sends a powerful message to young people that these careers are for them, they belong, that they can (and will) succeed. 

Who is involved?

ELAM has been founded by a group of leading figures from industry and education. Will Kennard, Musician and one half of production duo Chase & Status, is a founder and governor. Alongside Will, the Governing body has senior executives from across the creative industries and education. We have support from a wide-range of partners from the music, film and games industries.

We work hard, we achieve high and we produce amazing creative products. 

Our YouTube shows the range of talent that our Trainees have and develop - see ELAM’s vision in action here (our YouTube) and here (our most recent end of year showcasing website).

In addition, all trainees at ELAM undertake a study of Maths and English as we know written and spoken communication, problem solving, data analysis and research are the key traits of the leaders in these fields.

Ofsted report

East London Arts and Music has been judged outstanding in all categories when inspected.