Grooveschool Afterschool Programme

Grooveschool Afterschool Programme (2011–Present)

Free, volunteer-led weekly DJ & Music Production sessions for young people aged 11–18 (and up to 25 SEND)

Programme Overview

The Grooveschool Afterschool Programme is a long-running creative learning provision supporting young people across Streatham, Brixton and wider Lambeth. Since launching in April 2011, the programme has delivered over 500 free sessions, supported 150+ young people, and created a unique multi-generational community centred around DJing, music production, live performance and creative technology.

Designed as a free, inclusive, open-door space, the programme offers consistent mentoring, creative identity-building and a safe environment for young people to develop skills, build confidence and access real-world progression pathways.

Partner and Setting

  • Location: South London (White Lion, Streatham Stables, Pop Brixton, 3Space International House)

  • Delivery Model: Volunteer-led, free access, community-rooted

  • Partners: Local venues, youth programmes, arts organisations, and community fundraisers

Participants

  • Ages 11–18 (up to 25 for SEND)

  • Mixed cohort of beginners, intermediate learners and returning participants

  • Including young people with SEND, neurodivergent learners, and those facing barriers to traditional education or creative access

  • Many participants stay for 3–10+ years

Programme Delivery

The programme runs weekly after school, 38 weeks a year, offering 2-hour creative sessions that blend structured teaching with free exploration.

Activities include:

  • DJ technique (vinyl & digital)

  • Beatmatching, mixing and transitions

  • Scratching and turntablism

  • Music production using Ableton, Maschine and creative tech

  • Sound design and composition

  • Set-building, performance rehearsal and stagecraft

  • STEAM-based creative technology projects

  • One-to-one mentoring and confidence coaching

Sessions are deliberately low-barrier, flexible and youth-led, allowing learners to shape playlists, projects and creative direction.

Engagement & Programme Atmosphere

Young people consistently describe the space as:

  • “home”

  • “family”

  • “the one place I felt understood”

  • “where I found myself”

The environment is relaxed, relational and built on trust. Long-term engagement is extremely high; many participants attend for 5–10 years, returning as mentors, volunteers or performers.

Flow-state engagement is common — learners immerse themselves deeply in DJ practice, production, scratching or set-building, often working with total focus for extended periods.

Creative Outcomes

Over 14 years, participants have produced:

  • DJ mixes

  • Scratch routines

  • Ableton tracks

  • Live collaborative performances

  • Arts Award portfolios

  • STEAM-based creative pieces

  • Stage-ready performance sets

  • Community showcase events

Performance opportunities have included:

  • Prince of Wales Brixton

  • Chronology

  • Lambeth Country Show

  • Pop Brixton

  • Grooveschool community fundraisers

  • Local festivals and school events

Many young people performed their first-ever gigs through the programme — including supporting Fabio & Grooverider at ages 14–15.

Impact

Quantitative Impact

  • 150+ young people supported

  • 500+ free afterschool sessions delivered

  • 200+ performance opportunities provided

  • 50+ progression routes into FE, paid gigs or creative careers

  • £15–20k raised through community fundraisers

  • 14 consecutive years of weekly delivery

Qualitative Outcomes (PERMA Framework)

Positive Emotion
Young people experience joy, pride and confidence through music-making, performing and creative expression.

Engagement
Deep concentration, flow-state learning and immersive creative practice.

Relationships
Strong peer connections and intergenerational mentorship — including former participants returning to support the next cohort.

Meaning
The programme provides identity, belonging and a stable weekly activity that many describe as “life-changing.”

Accomplishment
From first mixes to professional gigs, learners achieve milestones that build long-term confidence and self-belief.

Case Examples

  • Josh: Arrived quiet, developed a passion for liquid D&B, and performed with Fabio & Grooverider as a young teenager.

  • Lewis & Maki: The first participants; shaped early programme culture through vinyl skills and scratching.

  • Sophia & Malachi: Long-term members with numerous performances and creative projects.

  • Sheriff: Started in the programme; now returns as a mentor supporting the newest cohort.

Legacy & Future Direction

The programme continues today at 3Space International House, carrying forward its founding ethos:

Free.
Inclusive.
Creative.
Community-led.

Future aims include:

  • Expanding SEND and neurodivergent pathways

  • Increasing performance opportunities

  • Strengthening FE and creative industry progression routesStrengthening FE and creative industry progression routes

  • Continuing to develop a structured pathway from afterschool → summer school → live performance

Any questions?

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