Are Graded Music Exams Dead? Here's Why 100% of Our Students Still Pass Them
If you are searching for graded music exams, you may have noticed a growing debate. Do traditional music exams still matter?
Liam Hughes · 08/10/2026Read
As seen in Romford Recorder
Featured on ABC News
4× Award-Winning Academy
FIND YOUR
OWN RHYTHMAward-Winning Music School & Instrumental Lessons in Romford, East London & Essex
Expert tuition for guitar, keyboard, piano, vocal, drums and violin — from beginners to advanced. Learn at our flagship Romford Hub (Drapers Pyrgo Priory School, RM3 9RT) or through our in-school programmes.
20+
Partner Schools
Across East London & Essex
4×
Award-Winning
Corporate Vision & LiveWire
6
Instruments Taught
Guitar, Piano, Vocals & more
100%
Pass Rate
Across all graded exams
1st Month HALF PRICE
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
No Long-Term Contract
About Focus Music
Multi-award winning music education that builds careers
Founded in 2023 by Chris Hatwell and Liam Hughes, Focus Music is London's most outstanding music service — recognised by Corporate Vision, Global Recognition Award, Corporate LiveWire, and AI Global Media.
We go above standard education. Our mission is to build future musicians — giving every student world-class tuition alongside real commercial and performance experience, whether in our Academy, through in-school programmes, or online.
Guitar
Piano & Keyboard
Singing / Vocals
Drums
Violin
Online Learning
Official Exam Results
100% Pass Rate Across Every Exam
Across 52 graded exams with ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool & ISOM — every Focus Music student passed. 79% achieved a Distinction.
52
Exams Taken
100%
Pass Rate
41
Distinctions
10
Merits
Verified Breakdown · 52 Entry Records
Distinction
41 candidates
79%
Merit
10 candidates
19%
Pass
1 candidates
2%
Our Three Pillars
Three Ways to Excel in Music
Tailored education pathways designed for primary school beginners through to aspiring recording artists.
Focus Music Academy
In-person lessons at our Romford hub. Group classes at £80/month (Piano up to 8, Guitar/Vocal/Drums up to 6) and private 1-2-1 tuition (from £123.20/month) for guitar, keyboard, piano and vocals.
Focus Music in Schools
Expert-led peripatetic lessons delivered directly into 20+ primary schools across East London and Essex. Guitar, piano, keyboard, vocals, drums & violin for all ages.
Artist Management & Development
From studio sessions and music video production to brand building and industry mentoring — we develop the full artist, not just the musician.
Focus Music in Schools
Bringing expert music into your school
Children aged 5+ enjoy weekly guitar, piano, keyboard, vocals, drums or violin lessons delivered right in their school. Flexible payment options — no half-price intro, just straightforward, honest pricing.
- Weekly lessons in school time
- No travel required
- Flexible payment plans
- Qualified, DBS-checked tutors
Are you a school?
Get Focus Music Into Your SchoolPartner Schools Network
Weekly peripatetic lessons delivered on-site
20+ Schools
Harold Court Primary
Harold Wood · Havering
Raylodge Primary School
Woodford · Redbridge
Coppice Primary School
Hainault · Redbridge
Crownfield Infants School
Romford · Havering
Crownfield Junior School
Romford · Havering
Harold Wood Primary School
Harold Wood · Havering
Farnham Green Primary School
Seven Kings · Redbridge
Oasis Academy Pinewood
Collier Row · Havering
Immanuel Independent School
Romford · Havering
Harold Court Primary
Harold Wood · Havering
Raylodge Primary School
Woodford · Redbridge
Coppice Primary School
Hainault · Redbridge
Crownfield Infants School
Romford · Havering
Crownfield Junior School
Romford · Havering
Harold Wood Primary School
Harold Wood · Havering
Farnham Green Primary School
Seven Kings · Redbridge
Oasis Academy Pinewood
Collier Row · Havering
Immanuel Independent School
Romford · Havering
Chigwell Primary Academy
Chigwell · Essex & London
Manford Primary School
Chigwell · Redbridge
Park Primary School, Newham
Stratford · Essex & London
Gidea Park Preparatory School
Gidea Park · Havering
Drapers Maylands Primary School
Harold Hill · Havering
Brampton Manor Academy
East Ham · Essex & London
Heathcote School & Science College
Chingford · Essex & London
Southwood Primary School
Dagenham · Essex & London
Parklands Primary School
Romford · Havering
Chigwell Primary Academy
Chigwell · Essex & London
Manford Primary School
Chigwell · Redbridge
Park Primary School, Newham
Stratford · Essex & London
Gidea Park Preparatory School
Gidea Park · Havering
Drapers Maylands Primary School
Harold Hill · Havering
Brampton Manor Academy
East Ham · Essex & London
Heathcote School & Science College
Chingford · Essex & London
Southwood Primary School
Dagenham · Essex & London
Parklands Primary School
Romford · Havering
Auto-scrolling network · Hover to pauseGet Us in Your School
Harold Court Primary(Harold Wood)Raylodge Primary School(Woodford)Coppice Primary School(Hainault)Crownfield Infants School(Romford)Crownfield Junior School(Romford)Harold Wood Primary School(Harold Wood)Farnham Green Primary School(Seven Kings)Oasis Academy Pinewood(Collier Row)Immanuel Independent School(Romford)Chigwell Primary Academy(Chigwell)Manford Primary School(Chigwell)Park Primary School, Newham(Stratford)Gidea Park Preparatory School(Gidea Park)Drapers Maylands Primary School(Harold Hill)Brampton Manor Academy(East Ham)Heathcote School & Science College(Chingford)Southwood Primary School(Dagenham)Parklands Primary School(Romford)Harold Court Primary(Harold Wood)Raylodge Primary School(Woodford)Coppice Primary School(Hainault)Crownfield Infants School(Romford)Crownfield Junior School(Romford)Harold Wood Primary School(Harold Wood)Farnham Green Primary School(Seven Kings)Oasis Academy Pinewood(Collier Row)Immanuel Independent School(Romford)Chigwell Primary Academy(Chigwell)Manford Primary School(Chigwell)Park Primary School, Newham(Stratford)Gidea Park Preparatory School(Gidea Park)Drapers Maylands Primary School(Harold Hill)Brampton Manor Academy(East Ham)Heathcote School & Science College(Chingford)Southwood Primary School(Dagenham)Parklands Primary School(Romford)
Artist Management & Development
We go beyond lessons. From studio recording sessions and music video production to brand building, social media strategy and industry mentoring — we develop the full artist, not just the musician.
Studio sessions
Music video production
Artist brand building
Industry mentoring
Beyond the Lesson
We develop artists — not just musicians
The music industry demands more than technical skill. At Focus Music we give talented students real commercial experience — studio time, live performance, video production and the personal brand to match.
Whether you're aiming for a career in music or simply want to experience what it truly means to be an artist, our management and development pathway is built for you.
Academy: 1st Month Half Price
Start your Academy journey with zero risk — your first month at 50% off. Academy only.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied? We'll refund you. No questions asked.
No Contract
No commitment, no lock-in. Stay because you love it — leave whenever you like.
Latest News
View All Posts From the blog
How to Choose the Best Music Lessons in Romford
Choosing the right music lessons in Romford should feel exciting, not confusing. The best option depends on your goals, budget, preferred learning style and...
Liam Hughes · 04/10/2026Read
Focus Music School is Expanding Further into Havering
Exciting news: Focus Music is bringing its award-winning music education to even more schools and communities across Havering.
Liam Hughes · 13/01/2025Read
Recognition
London's most outstanding music academy
Corporate Vision
Most Outstanding Music Service in London 2025
Corporate LiveWire
Music School of the Year 2026
Global Recognition Award
Exceptional Leadership in Music Education & Community Engagement UK 2025
AI Global Media
Best Music Education Provider 2026 — Havering Accessibility & Student Development Excellence Award
As Seen In
Romford Recorder
ABC News
Start your journey today
Join our music community
Whether you're pursuing music as a hobby or a career, Focus Music is the perfect place to start. Academy students get their first month half price — no contract, 30-day guarantee.