Brixton Finishing School, a 10-week digital creative and digital accelerator programme, has announced a pivot to virtual lessons in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The school, which provides skills through real-world advertising experiences, has brought forward the move by a year, enabling under-served communities across Britain a bridge into advertising, regardless of location or background.

The virtual school will launch on 29 June, and will recruit students through online taster sessions. It will offer a wide curriculum choice, including interactive learning through masterclasses and workshops, video classrooms, a shared working agenda and independent project work. Applications are being accepted now until 1 May. Candidates will be assessed on “industry-positive attributes” rather than academic qualifications in virtual group tasks with Brixton Finishing School industry supporters.

“In these uncertain times, when schools and businesses are shuttering the world-over, we saw an opportunity to reach more young people and encourage outstanding talent into advertising regardless of academic qualifications,” said Brixton Finishing School founder, Ally Owen. “We fast-tracked plans to create an inclusive digital space as well as a physical experience from 2021, to give as many people with potential – who might ordinarily be working in industries like hospitality – a chance to enter our industry and all the economic success it offers.”