Each of our journeys to becoming music teachers at the Winston Churchill School has been shaped by the opportunities that have been offered to us along the way. From studying music at school and university, the experiences that have led us to work and teach at Winston are extraordinary to think about. There is a deep sense of belonging for both students and staff within the department, which contributed towards its winning the Music & Drama Education Award for Outstanding Music Department 2025.
Matthew Elliott writes:
‘My interest in music developed during my own school experience at Winston, which resulted in my being appointed Music Captain in Year 11. I was inspired to study music at college and into university, after which I was offered the chance to work as a music tutor back at Winston. During this time, I ran instrumental lessons, revision sessions and coursework interventions for students, as well as assisting in the classroom.
‘When I was offered a place on the Assessment Only route into teaching, I was initially unsure if a career in teaching was for me. However, with the support and encouragement of the fantastic music teachers as well as the wider staff community at Winston, I came to realise that not only did I have the necessary skills for teaching, but it would be a fantastic opportunity to develop an exciting and fulfilling career while being surrounded by music throughout my working day.
‘I'm now in my final year of training and am so grateful to have become part of something truly inspiring to both me and the students. I am now in a position to help provide the same opportunities and experiences that I was lucky enough to have had at school.
‘The support and encouragement I have received from Winston have helped to increase my confidence, and I have now taken on extra responsibilities such as arranging music for, and running, Percussion Ensemble. It is incredible to see how the music department has grown since my time as a student, and I am proud and excited to be a part of its ongoing development.’
Hayley Shlackman writes:
‘After completing my music degree, an opportunity arose to work as a music tutor in an active music department. I taught 1:1 flute and piano lessons and assisted in the classroom, where I was inspired by the standard of teaching and experiences that students had, both inside and outside the classroom.
‘I quickly learned how important the department was for so many of the students. Studying the extra-curricular timetable, I saw not only how much time the staff were investing into the students, but also a clear ethos that “music is for everybody”, regardless of ability or instrument. It felt like a family where everyone was valued.
‘I was impressed by the opportunities for students, with daily ensembles before and after school where parts are written and tailored for every student who wants to get involved. I loved seeing students receive these personalised musical experiences, and the rewarding moments at concerts and events that these resulted in throughout the year.
‘It was at this point I knew I'd love to stay at the school. I was therefore delighted when I was offered a unique opportunity to be employed at the school through an Assessment Only teacher-training route. It allowed me to stay in this thriving department while training on the job to get my QTS.
‘Seven years later, I am now a mentor, which has helped me to regularly reflect and improve upon my own practice. I feel very grateful to have this experience and to be a part of this musical family. I come to work every day knowing that I am part of something special.’
Hayley Shlackman working on keyboard skills with Year 7
Looking ahead
Now that we are both established members of the department, we can see it is such a special place to work. From the opening of our new Performance Space in 2022 to future concerts and plans, it's clear that the department is constantly evolving and pushing for more and that the best is yet to come.
