The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards, run in partnership with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), return in 2025 to honour the outstanding contributions of UK music educators. Celebrating excellence in the classroom, rehearsal space and community, the programme has become a landmark recognition of music teaching since it launched in 1999.

This year’s awards include a new Lifetime Achievement category and offer a £20,000 fund in musical instruments and gear, courtesy of education supplier Viking. The initiative comes at a time when recognition for music educators is increasingly vital, given mounting pressures on arts provision in schools.

The Role of Music Teachers Today

Music teachers in the UK face significant challenges. According to the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), budget constraints and a narrowing curriculum continue to affect access to music in many schools. A 2023 ISM report highlighted that 36% of state-funded secondary schools in England reduced music provision at Key Stage 3, and over 60% do not offer music beyond Year 9.

In this context, Classic FM’s awards aim to highlight and support teachers who go above and beyond — not only delivering curriculum but inspiring the next generation of performers, composers, and music lovers.

Award Categories for 2025

Nominations are open in six categories:

• Primary School Music Teacher
• Secondary/High School Music Teacher
• SEND Music Teacher (working in Special Educational Needs & Disabilities contexts)
• Visiting/Peripatetic Music Teacher
• Best Music Learning Initiative (e.g., community or online projects)
• Lifetime Achievement (new for 2025)

Each winner will receive a tailored selection of musical instruments or teaching resources for their school or organisation, drawn from a £20,000 prize fund provided by Viking.

Selection and Judging Criteria

Nominations are evaluated by a panel of industry professionals and one independent adjudicator. Submissions are judged on:

• Positive impact on students’ lives
• Teaching innovation and creativity
• Ability to inspire and engage learners
• Contribution to wider school or community life

Entries for the Best Music Learning Initiative category will be shortlisted by judges, then decided by public vote.

The nomination process is open until Sunday, 20 July 2025, and requires a 500-word statement detailing why a teacher deserves recognition, plus supporting examples of their work. Entries must be submitted with the nominee’s consent via:
classicfm.com/music-teacher-of-the-year-2025

Previous Awardees and Their Impact

Among previous winners is Helen Minshall, a brass specialist with over four decades of experience, who was awarded Visiting Music Teacher of the Year in 2024. Her work through Lancashire Music Service and Brass Bands England has helped hundreds of children discover community and identity through ensemble playing.

Other past recipients include:

• Jane Stilwell, recognised for her pioneering work integrating music into primary SEN education
• Shaun Williams, whose leadership of a community gospel choir in Birmingham bridged generational and cultural gaps
• Diane Widdison, former National Organiser for Education at the Musicians’ Union, awarded post-retirement for advocacy in teacher protections

A Broader Call to Action

The awards arrive amid a push for better recognition of arts educators across the UK. Organisations such as Music Mark, Youth Music, and Sound and Music have called for increased investment in music education — particularly in disadvantaged areas where access remains unequal.

ABRSM’s continued support for the Classic FM awards reflects its mission to create opportunities for musical progression. The board has also recently expanded its Inspire series of teacher development courses and reintroduced funding schemes to support young learners.

Final Note

Recognition programmes like the Music Teacher of the Year Awards not only elevate exceptional individuals but reinforce the essential role of music in educational and emotional development. As schools and communities face increasing financial and structural pressures, celebrating educators who keep music alive becomes not just a celebration — but a necessary statement of values.

For more information or to nominate an inspiring teacher, visit classicfm.com/music-teacher-of-the-year-2025 or follow @ClassicFM across social media.