The Music Projects

What The Music Projects does

The Music Projects, trading as TMP College, is an independent specialist further-education college headquartered in Wigan, United Kingdom. It delivers creative qualifications to learners aged 16 and above who hold an active or pending Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a statutory SEND designation that requires local-authority funding rather than direct tuition. The college offers six creative subjects — Music Performance & Tech, Film & Media Production, Games Design, Art & Design, Performing Arts, and Dance — alongside Maths & English GCSE/Functional Skills, RARPA-based personal development pathways, a Preparation for Adulthood programme, and a comprehensive student wellbeing service that includes counselling, therapy, and a student council. Delivery takes place across two purpose-built centres in Wigan, with the institution positioned as the largest dedicated creative college for 16+ learners in the locality.

The college operates a publicly-disclosed admissions restriction to EHCP learners only. Qualifications are accredited through partnerships with awarding bodies including University of the Arts London (UAL) and NCFE, and the institution is recognized by the Department for Education, Wigan Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Matrix quality standard, and IQM. There is no proprietary technology platform; instruction and student support are delivered through standard educational technology tools and in-person facilities. Originally founded as a music school, the institution expanded into creative and performing arts in response to community demand and now employs a team of 16 industry specialists and educational practitioners led by CEO Martin Heaton and Principal Jackie Manning.

The business model is an indirect-pay, B2G/B2B2C further-education model: learners are placed by local authorities through EHCP funding, with the college receiving per-place or block-contract funding rather than direct fees. The organisation is privately held, with no disclosed parent company, venture capital, or private equity involvement, and operates exclusively within the Wigan and Greater Manchester catchment. Supporting programmes include a Creative Enterprise initiative that partners with local businesses and venues to provide real-life industry experiences, and a careers/employability pathway intended to transition learners into employment, higher education, or further training.

Name

The Music Projects

Legal name

TMP College

Website

https://music-projects.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TMP College is an independent specialist further-education college in Wigan, UK, delivering creative qualifications across six subjects to learners aged 16+ with active or pending EHCPs, funded through local-authority SEND arrangements across two purpose-built centres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wigan

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

TMP College is an independent specialist college in Wigan, UK that delivers creative vocational qualifications to learners aged 16+ who hold an active or pending Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). It offers six creative subjects — Music Performance & Tech, Film & Media Production, Games Design, Art & Design, Performing Arts, and Dance — alongside Maths & English GCSE/Functional Skills, personal and social development, preparation for adulthood, careers guidance, and a dedicated student wellbeing programme, all delivered across two purpose-built centres.

Product overview

TMP College is an independent specialist college delivering creative qualifications to learners aged 16+ with active or pending EHCPs. The institution offers a unified educational program centered around six creative subjects (Music Performance & Tech, Film & Media Production, Games Design, Art & Design, Performing Arts, and Dance) supported by Maths & English GCSE/Functional Skills. The offering includes integrated personal development pathways, preparation for adulthood programs, student wellbeing services, and careers guidance. Courses are delivered across two purpose-built centers designed specifically for creative education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Music Performance & Tech Vocational creative qualification covering music performance and production skills, delivered to learners aged 16+ with active or pending EHCPs at TMP College's purpose-built Wigan centre.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• MatrixminorOthersMatrix accreditation suggests the college meets standards for supporting students' personal development and wellbeing. The specific nature of the Matrix accreditation partnership is not detailed in available materials.
• Wigan CouncilcoreOthersLocal authority partnership for delivering further education to young people in the Wigan area. The council likely provides funding support and regulatory oversight for the specialist college.
• NCFEcoreOthersNCFE is an awarding organisation providing vocational and technical qualifications. TMP College likely uses NCFE for accreditation of some of its creative curriculum qualifications.
• Department for EducationcoreOthersGovernment partnership for delivering regulated further education. The Department for Education provides oversight and potentially funding for the specialist college operating as an independent training provider.
• University of the Arts London (UAL)coreOthersUAL accreditation provides recognition for creative qualifications offered by TMP College, lending credibility and pathway opportunities for students progressing to higher education in creative fields.
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)minorOthersRegional combined authority partnership supporting skills and education initiatives across Greater Manchester. May provide funding or strategic alignment for creative education in the region.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ACM (Academy of Contemporary Music): UK music and creative industries college offering vocational and degree-level courses to post-16 learners. Comparable in industry-led music and creative delivery, though broader in credential scope than TMP.
• The BRIT School: UK performing and creative arts school for 16-19 year olds offering free, specialist creative education. Comparable in creative-arts curriculum, age band, and specialist further-education positioning, though funded differently and not EHCP-restricted.
• SAE Institute: International provider of creative media education (audio, film, games, animation) at post-16 level. Comparable in delivering specialist creative-technical qualifications with an industry-linked curriculum.
• BIMM University: UK-based creative industries higher education institution offering music, performing arts, and creative business courses to 16+ learners. Directly comparable as a UK creative-arts post-16 college, though not restricted to EHCP students.
• dBs Institute: UK creative education provider focused on music production, audio, and creative technology for post-16 learners. Comparable in delivering specialist creative technical qualifications at the post-16 level.
• Access Creative College: UK independent college offering creative arts qualifications (music, games, media, performing arts) to 16-19 year olds across multiple campuses. Closely comparable in product mix, age band, and independent specialist positioning.
• Ruskin Mill Trust: UK specialist further-education provider combining practical arts, crafts, and land-based learning for learners with additional needs including EHCPs. Comparable as a specialist FE provider that integrates creative/practical education with wellbeing for SEND learners.
• Boomsatsuma: Bristol-based creative education provider delivering post-16 creative courses in music, media, gaming, and performing arts. Comparable offering and target age band to TMP College, with a similar focus on industry-led delivery.
• National Star: UK specialist further-education college for young people with disabilities, including EHCP holders, offering personalised learning and therapy-led support. Comparable as a specialist SEND FE provider, though broader than TMP's creative-only focus.

Regional players

• Futureworks: Manchester-based creative education provider covering music production, games design, film, and media for post-16 learners. Comparable curriculum mix; relevant regional peer given both operate in the Greater Manchester area.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/tmp_college_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-music-projects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 The Music Projects