Provider of progressive and empowering music education services to children

We are determined to bring the magic of Rocksteady to many more children, worldwide, and are extremely excited about the experience and resources that Vespa Capital can contribute in this area.

Scott Monks, CEO at Rocksteady

Business Profile

Rocksteady Music School is an edtech-powered provider of inclusive music education services to primary school children.

Music education is delivered in a band-setting by Rocksteady’s experienced Band Leaders who utilise market-leading technology to bring progressive, exciting and inclusive music instruction to tens of thousands of children.

Rocksteady’s in-house Foundation delivers a strong social impact via the provision of over £2 million of free teaching each year through bursary places as well as providing hundreds of free charity events into various settings. The Foundation allows some of the most vulnerable children in society to enjoy the fun and educational benefits of playing music in a band.

Visit Rocksteady

Investment Date: May 2024
Founded: 2007
Sector: EdTech / Sustainability & Impact

Key Strengths

Vespa Capital invested in Rocksteady Music School in May 2024, as a result of the business’s positive impact, the leading tech-stack and attractive market position.

Rocksteady Music School was founded by Mark Robinson in 2007 after he identified an opportunity to materially improve the way music education was delivered in primary schools; the business is led by a passionate and driven management team headed by Scott Monks (CEO).
Rocksteady’s proprietary “Abbey Road” tech-stack revolutionises the way children receive music education and provides a platform for growth by enabling primary school deployed musicians (“Band Leaders”) to more efficiently and effectively track the achievements, attainment and progression of every individual member of their bands; the technology platform also allows both schools and parents to stay up to date on how students are developing, as well as helping facilitate the organisation and administration of the service.
Rocksteady is the UK’s largest private employer of musicians on a full-time basis, and has a well invested internal academy development programme to ensure that Band Leaders have all the support and tools they require to deliver the business’s progressive music curriculum to primary schools across the country.
Rocksteady has developed a unique, Ofqual regulated exam-free music qualification, enabling children to be recognised for their achievements as they naturally progress through the Rocksteady curriculum, without the need for an additional, standalone formal assessment.
The Rocksteady Foundation extends the reach of the business’s positive social impact by providing free bursary places to Rocksteady schools, as well as delivering free charity events designed to enable the Rocksteady experience to be enjoyed by those who need it most.

What our clients say

From my first meeting with the Vespa Capital team, it was clear they are as passionate about Rocksteady as I am which was refreshing. Vespa were consistent throughout the process, taking a supportive and pragmatic approach which enabled us to deliver the deal smoothly and on time.