BRIT Trust Diaries: Yansé Cooper on her first year as Headteacher of ELAM
In Music Week’s BRIT Trust Diaries, ELAM’s Headteacher reflects on a year of alumni success, industry partnership and widening access.
Yansé Cooper, Headteacher of East London Arts & Music, looked back on her first year in charge for Music Week’s BRIT Trust Diaries series.
Yansé joined ELAM in 2022 as assistant principal for teaching and learning. In the diary she describes ELAM’s mission as going far beyond qualifications: helping young people from all backgrounds find their voice and believe in their talent. Over the year, that meant deeper support for the students who face the biggest barriers, through travel bursaries, a mental health programme, provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities, and inclusive recruitment.
Creative education must be accessible to all, regardless of background, postcode, or income.
Yansé Cooper, Headteacher, ELAM
Ten years of ELAM
The year marked ELAM’s tenth anniversary, celebrated at Abbey Road Studios. A new alumni programme brought a games cohort reunion at Sports Interactive, a music reunion at Ronnie Scott’s and a 15-strong alumni board. Students enjoyed masterclasses from Chase & Status, Tim Bevan CBE and Miles Jacobson OBE, and a new partnership with AEG saw students and alumni perform at the Lido Festival and All Points East.
Alumni everywhere
Alumni were out in force at Glastonbury, from Hannah Smith drumming for CMAT on the Pyramid Stage to Rufus on steel pans for Ezra Collective, with others working behind the scenes for Spotify, Warner Music and Charli XCX. Yansé also celebrated ELAM’s Outstanding Ofsted rating and alumni successes including FLO, KWN and songwriter Ines Dunn.
