I have been music coordinator at St Peter's for 11 years now and have really enjoyed developing music and the challenges that I have overcome

When I first started, we had very little music going on in school and the staff members felt very unsure on what and how to teach music. This was a first challenge! I researched and developed schemes, did training sessions and supported the staff to embrace music teaching and not be worried by it – thankfully everyone was open to doing something new!

From there, we developed a range of music groups and clubs, from singing to orchestra to brass band, from pop to classical. This is the second challenge – having enough time during the week to lead so many thriving clubs! The children have enjoyed learning and performing a wide range of music, with the highlights definitely being our trips to De Montfort Hall and even the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In 2021, we were thrilled to receive a Gold Music Mark Award as recognition for all of the amazing music teaching, learning and activities that goes on at St Peter's.

Within school we are currently developing our listening provision, based on the principles of the Model Music Curriculum. This will involve more embedded use of music within lessons, not just stand alone music, and a scheme of music to listen to in assemblies.

As well as this, I am re-developing the extracurricular groups we have within school and also opportunities outside of school, as a result of changes due to covid-19. This has involved a re-launch of our singing club, with a focus on the younger children within school. We have also created a brand new 'Music Maestros' club, where children of all abilities can come along, choose an instrument to play and then make music together. Also, we have made stronger links with Ratby Brass Band to provide a group for our year 4 children to go following their brass lessons.

At the age of 10, I began learning the clarinet and that is probably when my love of music really began. I was fortunate enough to have singing, piano, clarinet and saxophone lessons throughout my secondary education and that experience is what drives me in my career as a teacher today.

I started my teaching career at Rothley in 2007 and immersed myself into music immediately by running the school choir. Since then, I have led music across the school and have been incredibly lucky to be involved in many exciting opportunities from singing to the Queen at the opening of the Curve Theatre to performing with Young Voices.

Ensuring all children have access to both the music curriculum and wider opportunities is very important to me and I am passionate about driving music and developing new and exciting experiences for all our pupils.

I have always loved singing so will sing at school with the pupils whenever I can, whether that is in the classroom, in singing assemblies or in the choirs we run throughout the year.

I am very lucky that I am currently teaching solely Music across the school at Rothley so I get to have a lot of fun with many different children every week!

I have been Music Coordinator at Newlands Community Primary School for around 8 years. During that time, I have promoted a love of music through school and worked to provide a range of musical opportunities for our children. Over the last 18 months I have worked with Leicestershire Music to develop the Primary Music Scheme of Work.

I play the clarinet and saxophone, and sing in a local choir. During my school years I was taught through the music service, and benefited from opportunities available within school to develop my musicianship. The highlight has to be performing at the Royal Albert Hall as a part of the Music for Youth Proms as a member of the John Cleveland College orchestra. I now support this group (renamed the Hinckley Area Schools Orchestra) as a volunteer, striving to maintain opportunities for local young people.