Croydon Music And Arts

What Croydon Music And Arts does

Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) is a publicly funded music and arts education service operated within Croydon Council, delivering tuition and creative opportunities to children and young people (Reception through Year 13) in the London Borough of Croydon and, in its regional role, across Southwest London. It is the Lead Delivery Partner for Southwest London Music (SWLM) — the Hub Lead Organisation responsible for delivering the Department for Education's National Plan for Music Education in SW London — and provides subsidised access pathways through concessionary rates, CMA Bursary, and Free School Meals discounts.

CMA's core product is a portfolio of music and arts education services. Core offerings include individual and group instrumental and vocal lessons (covering orchestral and band instruments, keyboard, piano, guitar, drum kit, music production, and voice); three weekly centres (Tuesday contemporary, Friday for Grade 4-5+ instrumentalists, Saturday for beginners/ improvers including Mini Music Makers, Star Class, and Endangered Species); ensembles and choirs (Acoustic Band, Jazz Band, RockShop, Vocal Vibes, Strings, Winds); Whole Class Instrumental Learning programmes for primary schools; music therapy; SEND provisions (Access Music Makers and Access Studio in partnership with Croydon's SEND service); the Young Leaders advocacy programme; the proprietary Star Award qualification framework spanning five assessment levels; and Easter/summer holiday courses. Back-of-house technology is delivered via SpeedAdmin, an online registration, payment, and student-portfolio platform that supports enrolment, communication within council GDPR and safeguarding constraints, and digital portfolio management.

CMA's revenue model blends three streams: (1) government grants from the DfE Music Hub and Arts Council England (the latter supporting broader arts including the London Mozart Players' Performance Presentation Course); (2) termly tuition fees for lessons, ensembles, and centre activities, payable three times per year before each term; and (3) instrument hire fees, with a separate Instrument Assisted Purchase Scheme (IAPs) waiving VAT on instrument purchases for eligible students. Pricing is not publicly disclosed at the line-item level; concessions include 50% discounts on lessons, ensembles, and instrument hire for Free School Meals-eligible students and CMA Bursary reductions on a means-tested basis. Distribution is primarily through direct school-based delivery across 150+ partner schools, supplemented by centre-based and out-of-school activities, with supplementary partnership funding from London Music Fund and The Grinstead Music Fund and operational partnerships with London Mozart Players, The Sixteen, Chineke! Orchestra, Multi Story Orchestra, Trinity Music Academy, Music Mark, and Out of the Ark Music.

Name

Croydon Music And Arts

Legal name

Croydon Music & Arts

Website

https://croydonmusicandarts.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Croydon Music and Arts is a Croydon Council service delivering music and arts education to children and young people in Croydon and Southwest London. Operating as Hub Lead Organisation for the National Plan for Music Education, it runs lessons, ensembles, centres, and SEND programmes across 150+ partner schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Exam Prep & Certification (ABRSM, Trinity, RCM, AP Music Theory) (EDAMANAJ)

Keywords

• Music education services
• Instrumental tuition
• Arts education
• Youth music programmes
• School music hub

Headquarters

HQ city

Croydon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: CMA receives DfE Music Hub and Arts Council grants as a Lead Delivery Partner for Southwest London Music (SWLM), the Hub Lead Organisation for delivering the National Plan for Music Education in SW London.
2. Tuition Fees: Termly fees for instrumental and vocal lessons, ensemble memberships, and centre activities. Fees are payable three times a year before the start of a new term. Concessionary rates available for Free School Meals eligible students.
3. Instrument Hire: Rental of musical instruments for students, charged in addition to lesson fees. The instrument remains property of Croydon Music and Arts until returned.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) is a council-run music and arts education service that delivers instrumental and vocal lessons, ensembles, choirs, music therapy, holiday courses, and whole-class instrumental learning programmes to children and young people across the Croydon borough. It operates as Lead Delivery Partner for Southwest London Music (SWLM), the Hub Lead Organisation delivering the National Plan for Music Education, and serves over 150 partner schools with curriculum support and CPD for teachers.

Product overview

Croydon Music and Arts (CMA) is a music and arts education service operated by Croydon Council. The organisation functions as a Music Hub (Lead Delivery Partner for Southwest London Music) providing a comprehensive portfolio of educational services including instrumental and vocal lessons, weekly CMA Centres (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday), Whole Class Instrumental Learning programmes, ensembles and choirs, music therapy, and holiday courses. The service offers support for schools through CPD, curriculum resources, and the Music Development Plan Self-Evaluation Audit tool. Additional offerings include Access Music Makers and Access Studio for students with special educational needs, the Young Leaders leadership programme, Star Award qualification framework, instrument hire and purchase assistance, and the Croydon Schools Music Association festival programme. The organisation connects schools through the Croydon Schools and Arts Network (CSAN).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Instrumental and Vocal Lessons Individual and group lessons for orchestral instruments, band instruments, keyboard, piano, guitar, drum kit, music production and voice, ranging from beginner level to university and music college entrance preparation. Delivered in schools and at CMA Centres across Croydon.
• CMA Centres (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday) Three weekly centres offering music, dance and drama classes. Tuesday Centre provides contemporary music and performing arts; Friday Centre welcomes Grade 4-5 standard instrumentalists; Saturday Centre offers classes for beginners and improvers including Mini Music Makers and Star Classes.
• Whole Class Instrumental Learning (CIL) Programmes Classroom instrumental learning programmes for primary schools including Mini Performers (Early Years/KS1), Soundstart (Years 3-4 using ukulele, keyboard, percussion), and Sound Progress (Years 5-6 using guitar, keyboard, percussion).
• Music Therapy Music therapy services providing access to creative opportunities for children and young people with additional needs.
• Ensembles and Choirs Various ensembles including Acoustic Band, Jazz Band, RockShop, Creative Drama, Vocal Vibes, Strings, Winds, and choirs for different skill levels.
• Instrument Hire Instrument rental service allowing students to hire instruments for lessons and practice at home.
• Instrument Assisted Purchase Scheme (IAPs) Scheme assisting parents and students by waiving VAT when purchasing instruments for students taught by CMA or regularly attending CMA activities.
• Young Leaders Leadership programme for creatives aged 13-18 to develop skills through producing and programming arts events, public speaking, workshop facilitation, and events management.
• Access Music Makers Weekly sessions for disabled and neurodiverse young people in Years 5-9 creating music using percussion, voices and technology. Located Saturdays at 11:15am.
• Access Studio Weekly sessions in dance and drama for young performers with special educational needs. Based at Waddon Youth Centre, running Thursdays 5-6:30pm for young people aged 13-25.
• Holiday Courses Easter and summer holiday courses combining drumming, dancing, composing and performing arts activities. Past courses include 'Wicked Easter' and 'Rhythms of the World'.
• Star Award Qualification Qualification developed by CMA offering five levels of awards across Key Stages 2 and 3, leading to specialist vocational accreditation, training and GCSE. Covers Performing, Creative Skills, Conceptual Knowledge, Evaluation, and Personal Development.
• School Support Services CPD for schools, School Music Development Plan guidance, curriculum resources, and support through This is Croydon Schools Programme. Includes free instruments for classroom instrumental learning across Key Stages 2 and 3.
• Music Development Plan Self-Evaluation Audit Online self-evaluation tool that auto-populates a draft School Music Development Plan, helping schools benchmark against DfE expectations and identify support needs.
• Music Production 101 Introduction to creating and producing music using digital tools, beat-making and composition for students in Years 5-9. Located at Ashburton Library, sessions on Thursdays 4:30pm-5:30pm.
• Step Into Music Theory Introduction to music theory for young musicians learning at Grades 1-4 level, supporting progression towards GCSE Music and Grade 5 Theory. Sessions on Saturdays at Oasis Academy Shirley Park.
• KeyWorks Ensemble New ensemble for keyboard players from Grade 1/Star 3 standard, focused on performance and ensemble skills development.
• GuitarWorks Ensemble New ensemble for acoustic and classical guitarists from Grade 1/Star 3 standard, exploring ensemble playing and new sounds and styles.
• Junior Rocks Ensemble

Quantifiable outcome

• Free instruments available for classroom instrumental learning programmes across Key Stages 2 and 3 since September 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Southwest London Music (SWLM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMA is the Lead Delivery Partner for Southwest London Music (SWLM), serving as the Hub Lead Organisation for delivering the National Plan for Music Education in Southwest London. This is a flagship partnership with statutory responsibilities for music education provision across the region.
• Croydon CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMA is a service within Croydon Council. The council provides organizational infrastructure, governance, GDPR compliance, safeguarding protocols, and finance systems including SpeedAdmin for payment processing.
• The Sixteen ChoirmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for vocal workshops and the Sounds Sublime Choral Festival. The Sixteen holds vocal workshops at Archbishop Tenisons Secondary School, providing opportunities for CMA students to work with professional choir members.
• London Mozart PlayersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration including Half Term Composition Projects at Oasis Shirley Park and the LMP Performance Presentation Course for advanced students to learn presentation skills from professional musicians.
• Multi Story OrchestramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative creative partnership where young creatives compose and program their own arts events. Projects include the Multi-Verse Remix featuring compositions co-created with CMA students and mentors, celebrating Croydon's cultural heritage including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's music.
• Chineke! OrchestramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional orchestra providing inspiration weekend combining Croydon Youth Orchestra students with professional players under conductors from Royal College of Music. Features diverse repertoire including music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
• Trinity Music AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombined ensembles collaboration for performances including the UK premiere of Avril Coleridge-Taylor's 'Comet Prelude', bringing together students from both institutions.
• Croydon Academy of Eastern Arts (CAEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic students from CAEA collaborated on the 'Ballade-Hiawatha' project with CMA students during the Multi-Verse Remix showcase.
• Music MarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUK Association for Music Education offering free membership to teachers in CSAN network. CMA advertises vacancies on the Music Mark website.
• Out of the Ark MusicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvider of Sparkyard platform for music education resources. CMA provides discount codes (26CROY2730) for schools to access Sparkyard membership and free CPD through their workshops.
• Croydon's SEND ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Croydon's SEND service to deliver the Access Studio program for young performers with special educational needs aged 13-25.
• Croydon Cultural Education PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of cultural organizations in Croydon. CSAN teachers receive news of opportunities across the partnership's cultural education initiatives.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• London Music Fund: Charity supporting music education across London boroughs through bursaries and partnership projects. Comparable as a funder of CMA-related activity and inclusion programmes for disadvantaged young musicians.
• Music Mark: UK subject association for music education representing Music Hub leads, schools, and teachers. Peer as the national trade body that CMA and partner schools engage with for membership, advocacy, and CPD.
• Youth Music: National charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people, particularly those facing barriers. Comparable as a funding/advocacy partner shaping inclusion-focused music education in the UK.

Direct peers

• Berkshire Maestros: Berkshire's Music Hub lead organisation providing instrumental tuition, ensembles and music education across schools in a defined UK county. Directly comparable as another council-affiliated Music Hub delivering the National Plan for Music Education.
• Suffolk Music Hub (Music in Suffolk): Music Education Hub coordinating music education across Suffolk schools, providing tuition and ensemble opportunities under the DfE National Plan. Comparable Hub model and funding structure.
• Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service: Inner London Music Hub delivering instrumental tuition, ensembles and music education in schools and community settings. Comparable London borough-scale Music Hub operation.
• Tri-borough Music Hub (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea): Music Hub serving the Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham boroughs, providing school-based music education and ensembles. Comparable London-based Hub with similar school-partnership delivery model.
• Hertfordshire Music Service: County-level Music Education Hub delivering instrumental and vocal lessons, ensembles, and CPD to schools across Hertfordshire. Closely comparable operating model and statutory mandate to CMA.

Broad incumbents

• ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music): Major UK music examination board and education charity providing graded music exams and a global music education ecosystem. Comparable as a music education credentialing body, though operating at national/international scale and via exams rather than direct school delivery.
• Trinity College London: International awarding body offering graded music, drama and performance assessments and teacher qualifications. Adjacent peer as a music education assessment and qualification provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKiQNS7wciIh6ecfrpVW1DA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CroydonMusicArts
• Instagraminstagram.com/croydonmusicandarts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/croydon-music-and-arts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Croydon Music And Arts