Salford to welcome ‘new Brit School’

A “new Brit School” could be created in the MediaCity area of Salford by 2013, former education secretary Lord Baker says.

The South London Brit School boasts Adele, Leona Lewis and Jessie J among its alumni. And recent research shows that the school’s former pupils have sold 65 million albums worldwide.

It is the only free performing arts and technology school in the country and part-funded by the annual Brit Awards.

Speaking the 20th anniversary celebrations, Lord Baker congratulated the school on its success and said that it would be “very sensible” to create a new centre.

He chose the area of Salford “because the BBC is going there and it’s becoming a big cultural centre.” He hopes to see the school open within two years.

The curriculum will contain half performing arts and half technology subjects. Lord Baker hopes it will help bring together local companies of all sizes and provide a route for talented students in the North.

Sir George Martin, the Beatles producer who helped established the Brit School, attended the anniversary celebrations. He was there for the opening of a recording studio which has been named after him.