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IN PICTURES: School of Rock's first UK branch opens its doors in Richmond borough

By Cesar Medina   2nd Nov 2025

School of Rock London has opened on York Street, Twickenham, transforming the former Barclays Bank (credit: Cesar Medina).
School of Rock London has opened on York Street, Twickenham, transforming the former Barclays Bank (credit: Cesar Medina).

American franchise, School of Rock, has officially opened its doors in south west London.

Opened on 20 October, the new branch on York Street, Twickenham, marks School of Rock's first location in the UK.

With more than 400 schools across 16 countries, Twickenham's School of Rock, located in the former Barclays Bank, offers residents 14 purpose-built music rooms.

Aspiring drummers can enjoy School of Rock's sound proof rooms (credit: Cesar Medina).

School of Rock's UK franchise owner, Matias Puga-Hamilton, gave Nub News an exclusive tour of the new school.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted with rock 'n' roll memorabilia at the school's reception, decorated in the brand's signature red and black colours.

The ground floor features a session room for children aged 4 to 5, equipped with guitars, keyboards and drums designed for what the school calls its "Little Wing" programme.

A practice room for younger children (credit: Cesar Medina).

Also on the ground floor, and perhaps one of the most distinctive spaces at School of Rock London, is the rehearsal room hidden behind an old bank vault door.

Matias explained that they decided to keep the original vault door as a tribute to the Grade II listed building's history.

Inside the former vault, a mural depicting a jazz band from Eel Pie Island, which once saw the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton during the 50s and 60s, line the wall of the room filled with music equipment.

Not your typical door for a practice room (credit: Cesar Medina).

Upstairs, musicians will find a Transport for London Underground map reimagined with the names of famous rock bands and artists, with David Bowie replacing the District line, T. Rex taking over the Mildmay line, and Richmond station becoming the 1971 song Debora.

Ever wondered what TfL's tube map would like if it was just rock acts and songs? (credit: Cesar Medina).

Each music room and area throughout the building features unique artwork, including one wall covered with a map of Twickenham.

This artwork of Twickenham in the School of Rock was commisioned by a local artist (credit: Cesar Medina).

School of Rock offers individual practice rooms for bass, guitar, keyboard and drums, as well as group rehearsal rooms where musicians can come together to put their learning into practice as a band.

This artwork pays homage to Eel Pie Island which was a music hot spot in the 50s and 60s (credit: Cesar Medina).

In just over a week since opening, School of Rock London has welcomed more than 100 members, with hopes to attract even more budding musicians in the coming months.

To learn more about School of Rock London's music programmes for musicians aged 4 to 18+ click here.

     

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