An Isle of Wight Councillor has described an Island music centre as an “invaluable asset” of the Island’s music education scene.
Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Newport West), who leads on education for the Conservative Group of Isle of Wight Councillors, visited the Platform One College of Music in Newport yesterday to find out more about the quality and diversity of the courses they provide and the contribution they can make to driving up education outcomes on the Island through their focus and their forward thinking.
Speaking yesterday, Cllr Whitehouse said:
“This college really is an invaluable asset for Island music education. It has fantastic facilities including professional recording studios, performance rooms and IT equipment; and is able to offer a huge range of learning options from the Saturday Rock School for keen youngsters from all over the Island, through BTEC Extended Diplomas in Music, to a full time three year contemporary music BA (Hons) Commercial Music degree course backed by the University of Chichester.”
“Frankly, all our high schools should be engaging with this fantastic local facility so that, particularly in the 16+ age group, students around the Island can be briefed on the tremendous opportunities the College offers for students who are certain that music is an industry in which they want to be involved.”
Platform One receives extensive support from the leading music events on the Island with the Isle of Wight Festival’s John Giddings and Rob Da Bank of Bestival both serving as patrons.
The councillor also praised Platform One’s results saying:
“The College just seems to go from strength to strength, delivering excellent educational outcomes across the board, but particularly for those students who may have started more traditional AS levels in subjects about which they were not really passionate, only to underperform and then to come to the College a year late. I would confidently say to any parent that if your child has a gift for music and/or a desire to get into the music production industry, then Platform One is an option they should seriously consider.”
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Speaking after the councilor’s visit, Platform One Director, David Pontin said:
“It is always great to show people that Platform One is a serious choice for Post-16 learners. Platform One is not about creating pop stars – we are a serious college where young people can develop the essential employment skills and knowledge needed to work in this exciting and vibrant industry.”
