Our mission at the Stephen Longfellow Academy is to broaden access to music technology through forward-thinking programmes that create genuine pathways for young people to explore their interests and build futures within the music industry.

Alongside inspiring, motivating, and stretching pupils, Noise Academy expands musical experiences and supports young people in deepening their engagement with the wider world of music. Our sessions complement classroom learning by helping students communicate, collaborate, and explore creativity together. By offering early exposure to industry-standard equipment and real-world processes, our lessons create long-lasting benefits for young people, particularly those facing challenging circumstances or moving toward creative career pathways.

In today’s world, students expect their music education to reflect the sounds and culture that inspire them. Teachers want lessons that spark curiosity and enthusiasm. Noise Academy brings fresh energy, resources, and ambition into the classroom. The school’s music room becomes a space for students to explore electronic music and music technology, transforming lessons into unique and memorable learning experiences.

These sessions also provide students with tools that support social and emotional growth, helping them build confidence and a sense of achievement. The programme equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to take their next steps in the arts.

We aim to understand how best to teach and support young people in turning their passion into a future pathway. Through music-tech education, mentoring, and business guidance, we offer holistic support. Working closely with our students, we prioritise feedback and adapt our approach to meet individual needs.

Students attend weekly sessions, delivered either one-to-one or in pairs, ensuring highly focused guidance and personalised support. During these sessions, learners work through a structured pathway designed to build confidence and mastery in DJing and music production.

DJ Pathway (Levels 1–6)
Students progress step by step through six levels of DJ training. Each level introduces new skills—from equipment basics and beat-matching to advanced mixing techniques, performance confidence, and creative set-building. Learning is hands-on, with students practicing on industry-standard DJ controllers and software.

Music Production Pathway (Levels 1–3)
For those exploring production, students follow a three-level pathway that introduces beat-making, sequencing, sound design, arrangement, and mixing. As they advance, they begin developing full tracks using professional-grade software and tools.

Throughout both pathways, tutors set individual goals, give tailored feedback, and help students build both technical skills and creative identity.

Certification
Once a student completes a level in either DJing or music production, they receive a certificate celebrating their achievement and acknowledging their newly developed skills. This formal recognition helps build confidence and provides a valuable milestone as they move forward into future creative opportunities.

Noise Academy will continue to:

• Actively challenge discrimination
• Ensure that all students, staff and volunteers are treated fairly
• Make sure that our activities and services are truly accessible to all
• Work collaboratively with other organisations to address inequality
• Work to promote an organisational culture of diversity
• Strive to ensure that the profile of staff and volunteers reflects the wider communities within which we operate.

Each module lasts for six weeks, give or take, so we ultimately have enough criteria for a young person to stay engaged for a full year and beyond!

Here is a breakdown of our curriculum:

• Noise Academy Level 1 Dj skills
• Noise Academy Level 2 Dj skills
• Noise Academy Level 3 Dj skills
• Noise Academy Level 4 Dj skills
• Noise Academy Level 5 Exploring Musical Genres
• Noise Academy Artist development Level 1
• Noise Academy Music Production Level 1

Reports and Awards:

• Noise Academy will provide weekly reports per student outlining progress and achievements.
• Noise Academy will award each student with a certificate at the end of each module.
• Noise Academy will regularly upload students Music to Soundcloud they can listen at home and share with their peers.

2025/26 Programme Review

This academic year, Noise Academy has proudly continued our long-standing partnership with The Stephen Longfellow Academy, building on the strong foundations we’ve developed over a number of years. Our return to the academy has been both rewarding and inspiring, as we delivered another full year of engaging, inclusive music and DJ lessons for students across all age groups.

From primary to secondary, our programme supported learners, providing tailored lessons designed to spark creativity, boost confidence, and develop practical music skills. Each session gave students the opportunity to get hands-on with professional DJ and music production equipment, learning everything from the basics of beat-matching and rhythm to more advanced mixing, recording, and performance techniques.

With younger learners in primary, we focused on accessible, rhythm-based activities that introduced key musical concepts in a fun and engaging way. In secondary, students explored deeper elements of DJing and music production, with many creating full-length mixes and developing their own unique sound and style. The impact of these lessons has been clear — increased engagement, improved self-esteem, and the development of skills that reach far beyond the classroom.

One of the year’s standout highlights was welcoming a student from the academy onto our work experience programme. This learner not only refined their own DJ skills, but also took a leadership role by helping to teach and mentor other students during our lessons. Watching them grow into this role was a powerful example of how creative education can unlock confidence, responsibility, and aspiration.

To celebrate all the incredible work from the year, we’ve curated a SoundCloud playlist showcasing student-made mixes and recordings. This playlist reflects the journey each young person has been on — filled with energy, creativity, and pride in their progress.

We’re looking forward to continuing to support the students at The Stephen Longfellow Academy in the new academic year.