SEVEN 'inspirational and dedicated' teachers have won top prizes in the Wiltshire Music Education Awards.

They include Fran Roach, head of performing arts at the Clarendon Academy School in Trowbridge, who was named Wiltshire's secondary school 'Music Teacher of the Year'.

David Cade, head of school at the Clarendon Academy, said: "We are delighted that our very own Fran Roach has been awarded Wiltshire Secondary Music Teacher of the Year 2021.

"This award was decided by an independent panel and the competition was very high. Fran was regarded as inspirational and dedicated.

"As an Academy we are very proud of the leadership Fran delivers to take our Performing Arts Faculty to the next level and provide a creative and engaging experience for all of our students as well as being an excellent role model to her colleagues, who are relatively new to teaching, within the Faculty."

The Wiltshire Music Education Awards were established in 2020 to celebrate teachers, music leaders and schools in the county who dedicate themselves to creating outstanding music education for young people.

Sophie Amstel, of Wiltshire Music Connect, which organised the awards, said: "Very many congratulations to all the winners and to all those nominated.

"Our independent panel had a difficult job deciding who was most deserving – all the nominees were inspirational and dedicated.

"Those who won will receive certificates, theatre vouchers, and cash prizes for their schools.

"The awards are important because they celebrate some of the people who collectively make up an inspiring, sustainable and evolving music education offer in our county.

"By recognising their achievements we spotlight innovation and commitment and take note of what is already happening and what is musically possible in Wiltshire.

"We hope that the success of the awards this year will encourage pupils, parents / carers, school staff and school leaders to make nominations for next year’s awards."

For 2021 there were seven award categories as follows:

• Music Educator of the Year Young People’s Choice 2021: Helen Berry of Sherston Primary School;

• Wiltshire Primary School Music Teacher of the Year 2021: Sian Haynes of Ramsbury Primary School;

• Wiltshire Secondary School Music Teacher of the Year 2021: Fran Roach of Clarendon Academy;

• Wiltshire Inspirational Singing Leader Award 2021: Tim Gilvin;

• Outstanding Individual Contribution to Music Education in Wiltshire Award 2021: Luke Pickett;

• Wiltshire Music Associate Provider of the Year Award 2021: Instinct Sounds – Joe De Berker;

• Wiltshire Inclusive Music Award 2021: Tim Badgery.

For more information on the awards, visit the Wiltshire Music Connect website at www.wiltshiremusicconnect.org.uk.

The nomination window for the 2022 Wiltshire Music Education Awards will open next April.