We Graduated! - RSL Level 2 Qualifications

This is one for the records…

We were thrilled to pioneer the first-ever Rock School of London Level 2 qualification hosted in a community setting — delivered to our young people, by our young people. We selected a group of individuals who had taken part in the Circle of Light project 2024 and were hungry to keep expanding their knowledge of all things music. The RSL qualification not only provided our young people with the chance to gain a formal credential, it also served as a valuable training opportunity for a select group of our Circle of Light mentors. Our mentors - Jess Thomas, Emily Baldwin, Husna Khalid and Simran Johal,  received dedicated instruction to deliver the RSL qualification effectively and to a high standard. Their guidance and support played a key role in enabling our young people to achieve some outstanding results. 

The learning journey consisted of a series of weekly workshops and one-to-one sessions leading up to the highly anticipated Circle of Light 5 show. During these sessions, the entire group collaborated on marketing the event, after which each participant chose to specialise in either performance or event planning, tailoring their studies to their individual interests and strengths.

In the marketing strand, our young learners focused on promotion, audience engagement, and social media strategy—all leading up to the big showcase. They explored how to effectively reach their target audience and build anticipation for the event.

The event planning strand involved all things Lights, Camera, Action! Each participant carefully considered how the performances would appear on stage, aiming to deliver a unique and impactful experience for the audience. From stage design to lighting choices, they worked creatively to ensure the visuals matched the dynamic and diverse nature of the showcase, which spanned a wide range of genres and styles. 

Those that chose to follow the performance strand of the qualification were keen to evaluate what makes an engaging and eye catching performance. They then implemented their research and observations through their very own performances during the showcase. The group explored the various roles essential to delivering a successful showcase, highlighting the importance of positions ranging from sound engineers and stage managers to those managing the merchandise booth. Each participant was assigned a specific role to take ownership of during the event. Following the showcase, they reflected on their individual contributions and evaluated their performance as part of the RSL sessions.

The final VIVA assessment provided our Circle of Light participants with an opportunity to put everything they had learned into practice. This assessment took the form of an in-depth conversation between each student and a panel of COL mentors, who served as examiners. Together, they explored the students’ creative decisions and thought processes in detail, putting their knowledge to the test.After the results were released, we held a certificate ceremony to celebrate each student’s incredible achievement. It was a proud moment for all involved, and a powerful reminder that their dedication and hard work had truly paid off—we couldn't be prouder.

One of our graduates receiving his certificate

A massive thank you to the Rock School of London team for supporting us and to Youth Music for funding this work and making it all possible!