A Twickenham music school is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary after attracting nearly 300 students and staging performances at festivals and venues across south-west London.
School of Rock London, which launched on York Street in November 2025, is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary after a year of live performances and community events.
General manager Malcolm Crocker described the school’s first 12 months as a fantastic and very uplifting experience.
“The first achievement I would say is having nearly 300 students as members of our programmes across all the age ranges,” he said.
Students have performed at Circuit in Kingston, the live room at Allianz Stadium and the school’s own Summer Fest, held in July at Richmond Athletic Ground.
The school also had its own stage at Twickenham’s High Tide Festival, bringing together performers from its children’s, teenage and adult programmes.
Crocker said organising Summer Fest was a major achievement, with around 100 young performers taking part.
But beyond the concerts, he said the biggest reward has been watching students develop their confidence and social skills.
“We’ve had students who, when they first walked into the building, wouldn’t necessarily look you in the eye,” he said.
“They would stare at their shoes.
“But now they are able to perform solos at the front of stages with exuding confidence.
“The way they carry themselves around the school, the friendships that they developed. It’s why I get out of bed in the morning.”
The school has also built connections with the local community, participating in events including Twickenham’s 60s Day and High Tide Festival.
Although most students live close to the school, Crocker said some travel from as far as Ascot and Queen’s Park to attend.
“Community is at the heart of everything School of Rock does,” he said.
He credited the support of local families, businesses and community organisations with helping the school establish itself during its first year.
Looking ahead, students are set to perform at the Half Moon in Putney and the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington, while plans are being developed for a second Summer Fest.
The wider School of Rock franchise is also opening a second London location in Bayswater next month.
To mark its November anniversary, the Twickenham school is planning celebrations across its programmes.
Crocker said: “We’re having a birthday party for all of our programmes where we’re inviting them to bring a friend, so they can experience what School of Rock is about.”
He added: “We’re having a jam night for the adults. We encourage them to bring a friend as well.”
Reflecting on the High Tide Festival, Crocker said watching students perform for large crowds had been one of the most memorable experiences of the year.
“I spent the whole day just kind of speechless and just blown away,” he said.
For Crocker, the school’s first year has been about more than learning instruments. It has been about giving young people the confidence to perform, make friendships and become part of a musical community.
Feature image courtesy of Charlie Speed, with thanks.
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