Platform One At 25 — From Music Course To Creative Powerhouse

(c) Jennifer Stone/Day Rutherford

A leading creative education provider on the Isle of Wight is celebrating a major milestone, as Platform One marks its 25th academic year.

The organisation, which specialises in music, fashion and the wider creative industries, was established to give aspiring artists the opportunity to study on the Island without needing to move away.

Since launching with a BTEC National Diploma in Music, Platform One has grown into a recognised hub for creative education, now offering courses ranging from youth programmes through to undergraduate and Masters-level study.

These are delivered in partnership with the Isle of Wight College and the University of Chichester.

Over the past quarter-century, the organisation has helped develop a generation of Island talent, with former students going on to careers across live performance, production and the wider creative sector.

Notable alumni include artists linked to bands and acts such as Wet Leg, Coach Party, Lauran Hibberd, Champs and Plastic Mermaids — all of whom have helped raise the Island’s profile on the global music stage.

Graduates continue to play a key role in the local creative scene. Strings Bar & Venue is run by former students, while others have gone on to operate recording studios or take up teaching roles in schools across the Island. Platform One also employs a number of its own alumni.

Peter Pontin, Director of Platform One, said it had been a privilege to support young people’s creative development over the past 25 years, adding that the milestone would not have been possible without the organisation’s staff and partners.

Platform One has also maintained a long-standing relationship with the Isle of Wight Festival, working with the event since 2002 to support emerging artists and provide students with industry experience.

More recently, the provider has expanded its offer with the launch of a Sustainable Fashion course in 2023, including runway shows and collaborations with brands such as Barbour and FatFace.

To mark the 25th anniversary, a programme of events will be held over the coming weeks, including workshops, industry sessions and celebrations involving students, alumni and the wider community.

The celebrations are set to culminate in a special anniversary event at the end of May, bringing together those involved with Platform One to reflect on its legacy and look ahead to the future of creative education on the Isle of Wight.

Further details are expected to be announced soon.