At Rendcomb College, creativity is not just encouraged, it is nurtured, supported, and allowed to flourish. One pupil’s musical journey perfectly captures how the College empowers young people to discover their passions and develop the confidence to pursue them beyond the classroom.
Having joined Rendcomb in Year 7, Maia W quickly discovered a love for creative subjects, with Art and Music standing out as firm favourites. While music was always an important part of her school life, it was in Year 10 that her interest truly evolved. It was then that she began exploring songwriting and music production, writing her very first original song in 2021.
From those early beginnings, the support of Rendcomb’s Music Department has been instrumental. Staff have consistently taken the time to listen to her ideas, guide her through music theory, and offer encouragement at every stage of her development. As her ambitions grew, the department also supported her in exploring future pathways, including helping her identify a suitable university course aligned with her creative goals.
Maia said: “The music department has supported me completely over this time, from listening to my song ideas and helping me understand music theory, to helping me find a suitable university. I can’t thank them enough.”
Driven by determination, she set herself the ambitious challenge of writing a 10-song album between Years 10 and 11. By the time it was complete, however, her rapid progress meant that her skills had already outgrown the material. Rather than seeing this as a setback, she recognised it as a sign of growth; a clear reflection of how much she had developed as a musician.
Since then, her creative journey has continued to gain momentum. She has written new material, refined her sound, and expanded her technical abilities, all while preparing to pursue a degree in Songwriting and Music Production at university. During this time, she has taken full advantage of the opportunities available at Rendcomb: vocal and guitar lessons, access to a variety of studio environments, and performance opportunities both within the College and beyond.
Maia's hard work has already led to tangible success. She has released four original tracks on SoundCloud, marking an exciting step into sharing her music with a wider audience. Each release reflects not only her growing confidence as an artist, but also the strong foundations built during her time at Rendcomb.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue using the skills, discipline, and creativity fostered at the College to build a career in the music industry. Her story is a powerful example of how Rendcomb College inspires pupils to explore their talents, embrace ambition, and believe in their potential.
To listen to Maia's music on SoundCloud, click here.
