The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards with ABRSM – revealing our 2025 winners!
28 September 2025, 19:54 | Updated: 28 September 2025, 19:56
Every morning this week at 8.30am on Classic FM Breakfast, we’re revealing the winners of our Music Teacher of the Year Awards...
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After months of voting, a judging panel and a public vote stage, we are revealing the winners of the 2025 Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards with ABRSM.
This week on Classic FM Breakfast, we’re celebrating our exceptional winning music teachers, who are inspiring young minds and opening up access to music education across the nation. These five teachers will all receive a share of £20,000 of musical instruments thanks to Viking.
And the winners are...
Secondary School: Laura Hodges
Thetford Academy, Norfolk
The judges said: “Laura arrived at a school that was missing a music teacher, had no singing and had very little curricular or extra-curricular music. Laura has transformed the music provisions at the Academy, and there are now numerous choirs and bands, with children taking up new instruments and music every day.
“Music is part of the school day, giving students confidence and skills they never thought they’d be able to have. The progress Laura has made at the school and for the students is remarkable.”
Visiting Music Teacher: Rebecca McKee
Beverley, East Riding
The judges said: “Rebecca champions inclusion in all her musical activities: she has created countless opportunities for all children to access music, particularly those who otherwise may not have.
“She supports other teachers, leading CPD for staff to support them in making their music lessons as inclusive as possible, sharing videos of lessons with pupils with additional needs. She arranged for all new instrument lesson starter forms to be translated into multiple languages to reach as wide a community as possible. She isn’t in a management role, but she still does it to give support where needed. Rebecca is a remarkable force for good!”
Best Music Learning Initiative: Lichfield MusicShare Schools Singing Programme
Led by Cathy Lamb
The judges said: “Cathy is the most extraordinary person, working tirelessly to engage schools and pupils in this initiative – a real community of music making, which brings together opportunities across the local area for young people to meet and to sing.
“Her work and passion has had a transformative impact on pupils, teachers, parents, and the wider community, making her an inspiring and irreplaceable figure in music education.”
SEND Music Teacher: Jacqui Walker
Sir Charles Parsons School, Newcastle
The judges said: “Jacqui has had an incredibly broad impact beyond the school, and she brings love and energy, and her own expertise and experience into pupils’ and teachers’ school lives.
“She passes on her knowledge to all staff, and her work has helped the families of children who have disabilities and learning difficulties know that their children can engage and learn, do new things and contribute to their communities. Music helps this happen.”
Primary School Music Teacher: Mandy Thompson
St Joseph’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, Market Harborough
The judges described Mandy as “enthusiastic, tireless, visionary and passionate about giving every child the chance to learn an instrument no matter their background”.
“Mandy has changed the culture at St Joseph’s by inspiring senior leaders to implement weekly music lessons for every year group. She has written the Music Curriculum for the school, and Leicestershire Music Hub have since awarded St Joseph’s the Gold Award for Excellent Music Provision!”
Lifetime Achievement: Peter Smalley
Northamptonshire
The judges said: “Northamptonshire seems to be very fortunate to have someone as dedicated as Peter Smalley leading its music education service. He is clearly an incredibly loved and respected music teacher whose unwavering dedication to music education has touched the lives of countless young people.
“Peter exemplifies the profound impact a dedicated music educator can have. He is the definition of Lifetime Achievement!”
The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards are in partnership with the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), the UK’s largest music education body and the world’s leading provider of music exams.
Lincoln Abbotts, Engagement Director, ABRSM said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Classic FM to recognise and celebrate all the amazing music teachers across the UK. At ABRSM we recognise the commitment, ambition and creativity of our music teaching community and the crucial role they play in guiding and supporting young people on their own musical journeys. We all know that taking part in, and making progress through music, adds so much richness to young people’s lives.”
Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking UK said: “We share Classic FM’s passion for supporting emerging talent and making classical music accessible to everyone, so we are very proud to support the Music Teacher of the Year Awards which help recognise and reward exceptional music teachers. We hope our donation towards musical instruments and equipment for their school will help them continue to make a real difference to the musical lives of young people for many years to come.”
