Diligent head of music finishes top in competition run by radio station

FOR Matthew Stimpson, running a successful music department is not just about pupils passing exams but about the enthusiasm they show outside of the classroom.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Nov 2010, 09:33 BST
Updated 17th Nov 2010, 09:33 BST

Music is central to life at Beckfoot School, in Bingley, with hundreds of students carrying out instrument lessons, taking part in various bands, choirs and groups and performing in a programme of concerts throughout the year.

Mr Stimpson, who has been head of music at the school for more than five years, has now been named as secondary school music teacher of the year in a national competition run by radio station Classic FM.

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He collected his prize at a ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall.

"I was shocked when I found out," he said. "I really love my job and to get this recognition for something you enjoy is really surprising."

He was nominated by the school's head of expressive arts Sarah Whittaker.

She said: "Staff and students alike have a great deal of respect for Matthew based on his sheer diligence and hard work and his personal interest in everyone. The students really know he is doing his best for them at all times.

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"He has a genuine affection for them and a desire to see music at Beckfoot be known locally and nationally for its excellence. He engages pupils at all levels – they trust him. Personally, I have never worked with anyone who has put so much of themselves into the job. He is an inspiration by example.

"He is an outstanding teacher who is caring, hardworking and fun to be around. He has the remarkable ability to make every student feel valued and important and as such has inspired growth and progress in the musical life of Beckfoot School."

The school has at least 25 pupils a year taking Music at GCSE with an A* to C pass rate regularly above 90 per cent. Pupils from neighbouring schools also go to Beckfoot to study the subject at A-level.

Beckfoot students are regularly entered into competitions with the school's samba band playing at the Music for Youth finals at the Royal Albert Hall last year.

It also runs an annual music tour with pupils performing at a concert at EuroDisney in Paris last year and preparing for a visit to Belgium in 2011.