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Noise Academy offers a unique style of music education that focuses on developing skills such as Djing, music production and beatboxing. Our mission is to increase the number of students engaging in music technology through our innovative programmes, whilst helping them to gain credible qualifications and accreditations during school time.
We launched in September 2015 with backing from The Prince’s Trust, and since then we have built and maintained strong relationships with many schools and organisations across the UK and further afield. We offer a range of weekly peripatetic style programmes, workshops and private sessions and have a growing team of passionate music enthusiasts who aim to plant a seed and nurture each student to achieve their full potential.
"We aim to be the leading organisation supporting djing & music technology in schools across the UK by 2025" - Joe Townsley (Founder of Noise Academy)
Want to book a FREE introductory visit?
If you are UK based school we would like to invite you to claim your free introductory workshop with us.
We have delivered a number of free workshops to many Primary and Secondary schools over the last 5 years to encourage, inspire and motivate students. We have always had a positive response from the schools and the students, many of whom then attend our courses.
We employ a number of tutors who are DBS checked and we provide all equipment.
Contact > info@noiseacademy.co.uk
We offer a wide range of programmes, workshops and private sessions to suit everyone.
Music Technology can be used to inspire, motivate and stretch pupils, including those reluctant to engage with music; help extend musical experiences; and help children with additional needs to further engage in music making. It complements other music teaching, while encouraging wider communication and collaboration with other pupils.
Music technology can inspire and motivate pupils to engage with music who may not have done so previously, and can facilitate wider participation. It can also help improve the lives of those children who live in challenging circumstances, and benefit those moving on to the creative industries by giving early exposure to industry standard equipment and processes.
Educational outcomes among ‘looked after’ children remain significantly lower than those for all children. Their involvement in learning outside the classroom and in after-school activities is a key element in increasing the level of progress they make as well as gaining musical and production experience.
Other studies have shown different benefits from participating in music groups and needing to work together towards a common goal, for example, performance occasions. These include discipline, teamwork, cooperation, self- confidence, decision making, positive self-responsibility and social skills.
By participating in our sessions, students will have the chance to work in groups, create their own masterpieces and perform in front of their peers, both individually and as a group. We believe that working together and being productive in groups help develop key skills like team building, co-operation, creativity and communication skills.
A recent Ofsted survey report found that there was insufficient emphasis on making music and too much focus on talking or written exercises in too many school music lessons.
The use of music technology was inadequate or non-existent in three fifths of the primary schools and over a third of the secondary schools inspected. The report found that Music technology helps to enable children from areas of exceptional deprivation to achieve their full potential and have a positive impact on their communities.
The report stated that Music Technology will improve musical outcomes for all pupils – including those in rural areas who cannot access specialist tuition, and those with special needs and disabilities who are unable to use more traditional instruments.
Music Technology has a key role in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There is a range of assistive technologies that provide opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in music education.
Level 1 Beginner programme
Students will gain a basic understanding of the fundamentals of Djing and will be familiar with the concept of mixing one track into another. They will be able to navigate their way around the basic controls and will have developed confidence in the art by the end of the incentive.
Level 2 Intermediate programme
At intermediate level we step up the pace and talk in depth about beats and bars, phrases, EQ and tempos. We introduce students to new elements on the CDJs and mixer including “Slip Mode”, sound effects and looping. Students are encouraged to use their own initiative to identify when to press play, bring the volume up and change the bass through their understanding of musical phrases and song structures.
Level.3 Advanced programme
The final advanced level is focused on beat matching. Throughout the process they will learn the importance of tempos and BPMs and will understand how to manually synchronise two tracks by matching the speeds and using their ears. They will learn how to identify when a mix is out of time and how to amend making use of the Jog Wheel and other techniques. We introduce other advanced tricks like looping, scratching, spin backs and chopping as well as incorporating all the key skills they have learnt previously into a professional sounding DJ mix at the end.
All of our music is uploaded to our Soundcloud channel at the end of each half term, so students can showcase their work with friends and family. We also introduce students to sharing music online and establishing an artist’s profile.
We are very proud to be in partnership with several beatboxers across the country including UK beatboxing contestant "Mikey Beats" who delivers many workshops and one-to-one sessions for us. Their diverse teaching styles enable them to deliver exceptional masterclasses engaging people of all ages.
We believe that working together and being productive in groups help develop key skills like team building, co-operation, creativity and communication skills. Mikey Beats - Noise Academy tutor
The Beatbox Assembly
The Beatbox Assembly involves us hosting an interactive assembly for students of all ages. A typical one hour workshop will start off with an introduction followed by a mind blowing demonstration, leading into several interactive exercises between teachers and students. We introduce students to learning the most popular vocal techniques such as the kick drum, hi hat and snare, using the "Boots and Cats" technique. By participating in our beatbox sessions, students will have the chance to work in groups, create their own rhythms and perform in front of their peers, both individually and as a group.
There are many ways in which we can gain students credible qualifications through the National Curriculum. We are able to write programme structures that work alongside each school’s criteria to incorporate Djing and music production into students’ workflow.
NOCN
NOCN offers a broad range of qualifications and alternative routes for students.
GCSE & BTEC
Noise Academy specialises in working alongside the specification for BTEC and GCSE music, working one-to-one with students bringing them right the way through to their practical examinations. We provide music teachers with text and audio evidence of students’ performances throughout the process, which will contribute positively towards their final grade.
AQA Units Award Scheme
The Unit Award Scheme offers learners the opportunity to have their achievements formally recognised with a certificate issued by AQA each time a short unit is successfully completed.
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We also supply our own Noise Academy certificates at the end of each programme to congratulate students on their hard work!
We focus highly on targeting disengaged children and young adults who may have been excluded from mainstream education and we offer support during the integration process. Our Noise Academy courses increase motivation to attend school, providing students with a sense of direction and passion.
Ultimately, our programmes aim to empower individuals and equip them with the necessary tools and skills required to progress further within the music industry or to simply enjoy a sense of success; this will improve self-confidence which will, in turn, further engage students, driving academic progress and attainment. Our unique programme structures create an exciting new initiative that impacts on young people’s self-esteem, confidence and motivation
Monitoring behaviour
We make sure that we monitor students’ behaviour and performances by suppling weekly progress reports. This is mainly for our tutors to keep track of students, but most importantly for the teachers to be aware of their progress and for us to flag up any safeguarding issues that we may come across in our sessions.
We are part of many outreach projects where we aim to inspire the next generation of musicians, provide more opportunities for music-making in the community and enable people to benefit from the therapeutic effects of music.
We facilitate a walk in music technology workshop where anyone can interact with industry standard DJ equipment, music technology toys, and meet our beatboxers who perform demo's throughout the day.
We also work closely with local music hubs to engage with schools in their area which help us target more students.
Most of our weekly programmes last half a school term, however some schools have us for the whole year. We essentially assign your school a day which would remain the same every week with the same tutor.
We are extremely flexible with our school timetables but a typical structure includes us running up to 10 half hour sessions in 121's, pairs or small groups throughout the day.
Payment options
'We just wanted to say a huge thank you from us all at Burton Agnes. The kids absolutely loved learning to be a DJ and their mixing sounds great. Ollie has been fab with them all and clearly enjoys his job. We loved it. Thanks again '
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Burton Agnes Primary School
'All the children really enjoy it and it makes a great incentive for them throughout the week!'
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Boothferry Primary School
‘All the students are really enjoying it and it is already showing tentative signs of boosting confidence in some which is great'
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Kingsmill Special Needs school
We just want to say thank you for all your hard work at Hilltop. You have once again engaged the students and built really positive working relationships with them which has resulted in a number of them achieving Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications.
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Wakefield PRUs
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Burton Agnes Primary
Your work is greatly appreciated at our schools
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Executive Headteacher, Heritage Park & Holgate Meadows Foundation Schools
We have students queuing up to work with you! You provide an excellent service and represent good value for money
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Mr B Mallinson, Principal, The Stephen Longfellow Academy
Many thanks as always for your insightful feedback. You have a great rapport with the students and it’s fantastic to see them progressing during their session with you
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Hannah Flavell, The Stephen Longfellow Academy
Thank you for your hard work with all our students at the Morley Academy, we really appreciate it.
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MrSharron Hook,The Morley Academy
Your input with these students is having a great impact - we are starting to see a difference in their engagement around school already
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Mr C Wilcocks, Principal, Colne Valley High School
We have always preferred a personal approach, we feel it’s essential to arrange a preliminary face to face meeting so that both parties are familiar with who they are working with. We thrive of building strong relationships with clients, teachers and students and aim to be as cohesive as possible.
