Platform One, the Isle of Wight’s dedicated provider of post-16 and higher education in the creative industries, is celebrating its 25th academic year of delivering music, fashion and innovative education on the Island.
Platform One began by offering a BTEC National Diploma in Music, with a mission to create opportunities for aspiring musicians and artists without them needing to leave the Isle of Wight.
A respected creative education hub
The organisation has grown into a respected creative education hub offering programmes ranging from Saturday RockSchool for 12-16 year olds through to BTEC diplomas, undergraduate degrees and Masters level study, delivered through longstanding partnerships with the Isle of Wight College and the University of Chichester.
Over the past 25 years, the organisation has helped nurture a generation of Island talent, with alumni going on to build successful careers across the creative industries including live performance, music production, artist management, and video game composition.
Acclaimed alumni
Among the most notable alumni are members of internationally recognised bands including Wet Leg, Coach Party, Lauran Hibberd, Champs and Plastic Mermaids, who have all helped shine a spotlight on the Isle of Wight’s thriving music scene.
Many graduates continue to play an active role in the Island’s creative community. Strings Bar & Venue, one of the Isle of Wight’s key grassroots music venues, is run by Platform One alumni, while a number of recording studios across the Island are also led by former students. Many graduates have progressed into teaching careers, across the Island secondary schools.
Platform One also continues to employ a number of its own graduates, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to supporting creative careers and strengthening the Island’s music and creative industries infrastructure.
Pontin: A privilege to support the professional, creative and musical development of young people
Peter Pontin, Director of Platform One says:
“For 25 years, it has been a privilege to support the professional, creative and musical development of young people based on the Island.
“This would not have been possible without our dedicated and talented teaching team, many of which have been with Platform One since the beginning.
“We would also like to thank our academic and professional partners for their valued support.”
A key role in the Island’s cultural landscape
Platform One has played a key role in the Island’s cultural landscape through its longstanding relationship with the Isle of Wight Festival, working with the event since 2002 to support emerging artists and to provide industry facing opportunities for students.
Continuing to expand its creative offer, Platform One launched a Sustainable Fashion programme in 2023, which has already hosted two successful runway events and delivered live industry briefs in collaboration with leading fashion brands, including Barbour and FatFace.
A series of special events
To mark the anniversary, Platform One will be announcing a series of special events and activities over the coming weeks, including workshops, industry events and celebrations that will bring together students, alumni and the wider creative community.
The programme will also create new opportunities for local bands, DJs, artists and creatives to get involved in events across the Island, with opportunities to gain experience in a variety of creative and industry roles.
These celebrations will culminate in a 25th anniversary event at the end of May, bringing together the Platform One community to reflect on its legacy and look ahead to the future of creative education on the Isle of Wight.
Further details about the anniversary programme will be announced soon.
News shared by Jess on behalf of Platform One. Ed
