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About US
Why we exist
Success isn’t a one-size-fits-all destination, it’s personal, shaped by individual passion, drive and the freedom to choose your own path. Whatever the destination, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
In a world that often dictates who gets to thrive, we choose to disrupt, to open doors where others have built walls. We believe in agency – the power to take control of your own life. Agency isn’t just about choice. It’s about confidence. It’s about knowing that your voice, your talent, your creativity matter. That you have the ability to shape your future on your own terms.
boomsatsuma exists to give young people control over their own learning, their own journey and their own success. We don’t believe in outdated, standardised education models that force everyone into the same mould. Instead, we create dynamic, industry-focused learning experiences that fit the individual, not the other way around.
What we do
boomsatsuma is an independent education provider based in Bristol and the South West. We provide college diplomas and degrees that deliver creative industry training in television and filmmaking, photography, game design, digital media and sports media. Our curriculum is built with flexibility in mind, evolving alongside the industries we serve so that students are always prepared for what comes next.
Our team isn’t just made up of educators, we are creators, makers and innovators who work side by side and within the industries we teach. We don’t just prepare students for the world of work – we bring the world of work into the classroom.
We are committed to ensuring that opportunities in the creative industries are accessible to all, especially in areas where talent is often overlooked. Our work started in community reengagement - supporting young people coming out of mainstream education who needed a different way forward. We saw the gaps in the system and stepped in to fill them.
Our impact
We don’t just teach skills. We build confidence. We cultivate resilience. We empower young people to step into the creative workspace not as observers, but as active participants. At boomsatsuma, success isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about finding your voice, honing your craft, and taking ownership of your future.
Because when you have agency, you don’t just follow the path, you create it.
OUR STORY
2009
The beginning
We launched our very first sixth-form course at Backwell School, marking the start of our mission to make creative education more accessible. These years were packed with exciting projects – like ‘Mainstream’, a student-led music competition and a collaboration with the National Trust on ‘Tyntesfield: Engaged’.
That first creative spark ignited everything that followed - and it’s where our students chose the name boomsatsuma.
2010
Laying the foundations
After 2 years of delivering projects in the Weston-super-Mare community with the first cohort at Backwell School, we partnered with North Somerset Council to host Boomfest in Clarence Park. The 3 day event brought creativity to over 12,000 people and featured a main stage, art tent and big top.
2013
Expanding opportunities
These years also saw the launch of our first full-time post-16 programme in partnership with CLF Post-16 and Bristol Metropolitan Academy, an innovative course designed to give students the equivalent of three A-levels while working on real-world projects. A highlight? Our students represented Bristol in Copenhagen when it was named Green Capital.
We also built strong creative collaborations, teaming up with Upfest to document Europe’s largest street art festival and launching projects like ‘Everyday People’ and ‘Eclectic Sessions’, which gave students the chance to tell powerful real-life stories and capture live performances.
2016
Creative apprenticeships and performance
By 2016, we had become the largest employer of creative apprentices in the region, offering hands-on industry experience. Our apprentices even took the reins at Bridgwater Arts Centre, managing marketing, production and programming - one of them even won ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year.’ Meanwhile, ‘Word in the West’ introduced spoken word and poetry into schools, helping one of our students go on to win the national SLAMbassadors competition.
2018
Establishing industry hubs
We expanded into The Bottle Yard Studios and Ashton Gate Stadium, launching our Film & TV and Sports Media college diploma, giving students direct access to industry professionals and real-world production environments. This was a game-changer, creating a pathway for students to step straight into Bristol’s booming film sector.
2019
Launch of creative degrees
Despite global challenges, we continued to expand, launching new creative degree courses in our new home of Tobacco Factory. We strengthened our presence in Bristol, working closely with industry leaders to ensure students had the best opportunities in film, media, game design and photography.
2021
New locations, bigger impact
In the challenging times of COVID-19 and beyond, we continued to deliver outstanding education to our students. We opened new spaces at Leadworks and Portland Square, providing inspiring environments for students to develop their skills in photography, media and game design. These creative hubs brought students closer to Bristol’s thriving arts scene and professional networks
2024
Venture Studio
We launched the Venture Studio, a creative technology hub where students gain real-world experience in a professional studio. For their first project, our students collaborated with historical experts on a world first – an accurate recreation of Hadrian’s Wall 180 AD for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with the potential to reimagine the digital heritage industry.
2025
The future of creativity
From a small project in Weston-super-Mare to leading creative education in the South West, boomsatsuma has always been about giving young people the space to create, grow and shape their own future. And we’re just getting started.
