School of Rock has opened its first UK location in Twickenham, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion and paying tribute to the area's rich musical heritage, including proximity to legendary sites like Eel Pie Island.
School of Rock has celebrated the grand opening of its inaugural location in the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in its international expansion. The new music school officially opened on November 21, 2025, in Twickenham, Greater London. This launch brings the brand’s signature performance-based music education to a country renowned for its profound impact on rock and roll history. Positioned in a historic former bank building constructed in 1904, which is a Grade II listed site on the corner of Church and York Street, the Twickenham school pays homage to an area steeped in musical heritage, including its proximity to Eel Pie Island, once a hub for legendary acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Who, and Pink Floyd.
The UK expansion project is spearheaded by Matías Puga Hamilton, Master Franchisee for Latin America and the UK, who has an established track record of success with over 24 School of Rock locations across Latin American countries. Puga Hamilton expressed enthusiasm about launching the brand in the UK, citing the country’s foundational role in shaping rock and roll culture. He commented on the significance of bringing their unique, community-driven approach to music education to such a culturally and musically rich environment.
The Twickenham site is thoughtfully designed to nurture creativity, featuring 14 purpose-built rooms distributed over two floors for individual lessons, rehearsals, and live performances. This setup aligns with the company’s well-regarded performance-based curriculum, which has contributed to School of Rock’s rapid global growth since its founding in 1998. Stacey Ryan, President of School of Rock, attended the grand opening and highlighted the deep influence of UK music on the global rock scene, emphasising the company’s commitment to fostering confidence and creativity in young musicians.
School of Rock’s expansion into the UK further complements its existing European presence, which includes locations in Spain, Portugal, and Ireland. The recent establishment in Twickenham follows the signing of a 30-unit master franchise agreement, underscoring the brand’s ambition to grow across the UK market.
This opening coincides with broader milestones for School of Rock, including its 100th international franchise location in Chile and the celebration of its 400th franchise globally. These achievements reflect the brand’s scalable franchise model and its leadership in contemporary music education, operating or developing in 23 countries worldwide.
The lease acquisition for the Twickenham site was managed with legal advisory from Russell-Cooke, ensuring a seamless transition into this historic setting. The school will cater to a diverse demographic, offering lessons in vocals, guitar, drums, keyboard, and bass for children, adolescents, and adults. This inclusive approach reinforces the brand’s mission to inspire the next generation of musicians through a dynamic and community-oriented learning experience.
The opening of the Twickenham School of Rock signifies not only an expansion of the brand but also a new chapter in UK music education, rooted in respect for its legendary past while focusing on the creative potential of future talents.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Franchising.com) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
- [2] (Franchising.com) - Paragraph 1, 2
- [3] (Twickenham Nub) - Paragraph 3
- [4] (School of Rock) - Paragraph 5, 6
- [5] (School of Rock) - Paragraph 5
- [6] (School of Rock) - Paragraph 6
- [7] (Russell-Cooke) - Paragraph 7
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated November 13, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is May 21, 2024, when School of Rock announced a master franchise agreement for the UK. ([schoolofrock.com](https://www.schoolofrock.com/news/franchise/rocking-across-the-pond-school-of-rock-finalizes-uk-master-franchise-agreement?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data about the Twickenham opening, justifying a higher freshness score. However, the earlier announcement indicates prior coverage of the UK expansion plans. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No similar narratives appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Matías Puga Hamilton and Stacey Ryan. The earliest known usage of these quotes is in the May 21, 2024, press release announcing the UK master franchise agreement. ([schoolofrock.com](https://www.schoolofrock.com/news/franchise/rocking-across-the-pond-school-of-rock-finalizes-uk-master-franchise-agreement?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes matches the earlier material, indicating potential reuse. No variations in quote wording were found. No online matches were found for other quotes, suggesting potential originality or exclusivity.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Franchising.com, a reputable source in the franchising industry. However, the report is based on a press release, which may indicate a lack of independent verification. The press release is attributed to School of Rock, a well-established company in the music education sector. No unverifiable entities are mentioned.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative makes plausible claims about the opening of School of Rock's first UK location in Twickenham, supported by recent reports. ([twickenham.nub.news](https://twickenham.nub.news/news/local-news/in-pictures-school-of-rocks-first-uk-branch-opens-its-doors-to-twickenham-277234?utm_source=openai)) The report lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The narrative includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate announcement.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is recent and includes updated data about the Twickenham opening, justifying a higher freshness score. However, it recycles older material and relies on a press release, which may indicate a lack of independent verification. The quotes match earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. The source is reputable, but the lack of supporting detail from other outlets is a concern. The claims are plausible and supported by specific factual anchors. Given these factors, the overall assessment is OPEN with medium confidence.