Established in 2003, SMS provides contemporary multi-disciplinary instrument tuition in Drums, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Theory and we run Rock Clubs for bands from our base in Marlborough. We provide structured learning for all students, both privately from our base at St Johns Academy, Marlborough, and in 7 schools across Wiltshire. Our private teaching takes place at St Johns in the music department, via rental arrangements after school hours Mon-Fri and during school holidays. Lessons are one-to-one, pairs and/or small groups.

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With 6 teachers, we teach c.200 students, any duration between 20/30mins (schools) up to 90 mins weekly (private). We have to date taught over 400+ students from beginner to advanced and also teach Professional Performance and Teaching Diplomas to those who have achieved Grade 8 or equivalent. To date, we have a 100% exam pass rate using Rockschool Music Board.

Our Teachers

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Click here for the biography of all teachers.

We are only as good as our teaching staff...!

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Our teachers are all performing musicians, throughout the UK and in some cases internationally, qualified to higher education level, and teacher training is given both internally and formally through Rockschool Music Board. All teachers have worked in different areas of the music business, from studio / session work, touring, judging music and talent competitions across the UK, as well as the academic background below, authorship and a music exam specialism.

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Stu Slater is founder and owner of the school. A Senior Examiner for the music board Rockschool Ltd (www.rslawards.com), travelling both the UK and worldwide, he examines Grades 1-8 in drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, guitar, bass, piano, vocals and ukulele, plus Performance and Teaching Diplomas. Estimates are c.10,000 exams to date, across c.30 countries in Europe, South America, Canada, Middle East, Africa, Far East and Australia. Stu has also worked for years in other ways for the music board: 

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Consultant: Appointed Syllabus Advisor (2012-pres) and Deputy Chief Examiner (2015). Current Senior role involves examiner recruitment, training, moderation, standardising.

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Academic Authorship / Syllabus Writing: Stu devised Rockschool’s Teaching Diplomas; co-devised the Performance Diplomas; co-devised Rockschool’s Grade 1-8 Theory syllabus. He also wrote Rockschool’s “Intensive Teacher Diploma Course”, a week-long course, successfully delivered manyfold in UK, Ireland, Spain and Malaysia.

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Commercial / Ambassadorial: Regular presentations and workshops in numerous countries for Rockschool relating to product range / processes; representation of brand. 

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Overall, he has contributed to over 50 drum, guitar, piano, theory and vocal Rockschool Grade books, written magazine articles and re-written six Grade 7 and 8 drum pieces for Yamaha Music Board.