Winners 2021

Outstanding Musical Initiative

Winner: Dads Rock Academy and The London Music Fund


The judges wished to give the first prize jointly to two very different initiatives. 
Dads Rock Academy, is a really imaginative initiative addressing a societal need through music provision and bringing together generations.                                  The London Music Fund is an enterprise that has supported hundreds of students to fulfil their musical potential, irrespective of their background, in addition to a rich programme of partnerships and patronage in the capital.

Finalists
DaCapo Music Foundation
Newham's Music Promise
Surrey Arts Online Inclusion Programme
Virtual Big Sing 2020

Outstanding Drama Initiative

Winner: Platform by Tonic Theatre and Nick Hern Books


The judges said this was a well thought-through, timely initiative, imaginatively designed to address a significant issue in the industry. Much needed, and thorough.

Finalists 
ALRA, Italia Conti and Drama Studio London for Joint Drama School Auditions
Cherrystars Performing Arts
Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass for Script Sessions
Unexpected Places for Light UP Drama
WGYTC for their Online Summer Course production of The Party

Outstanding Music Education Resource

Winner: Services for Education Online Learning Resource


The judges commented that the winner was a brilliant response to the circumstances of the first lockdown, of a quality and reach that ensured it made a significant difference to the lockdown experience of many students.

Finalists 
Indian Takeaway: Rāg and Tāl basics
Naxos Music Box
The Baroque Violin & Viola: a Fifty-Lesson Course', by Walter S Reiter
The Scottish Music Academy
wholeclassstudentbrass.com

Outstanding Drama Education Resource

Winner: A Beginner’s Guide to Devising Theatre by Tashi Gore and Jess Thorpe, Published by Methuen Drama


A comprehensive and highly effective resource which will have a real impact on both learners and teachers, championing and giving confidence to ways of creating theatre. A resource that will be thumbed through in Drama Department shelves across the country.

Finalists 
Horror School Scheme of Work by Siobhan Fogarty
Online Brecht CPD by Splendid Productions
PB Digital Workshop Series by Paper Birds
Teechers online by Blackeyed Theatre
The Drama Geezers for Drama at Home

Excellence in SEND (Music & Drama)

Winner: Reach oRchestRa


The judges commented on the winner’s deeply moving work and astonishing achievements. A fabulous example of collaboration between children and adults with similar disabilities, with long term impact and real wow factor. For the sheer quality of the work as well as their deep commitment to inclusion.

Finalists
Big Top Musical Adventures CIC
Inspiration Creative Online
TreeHouse School for their ukulele project
UP! Orchestra for their Music of Black Origin Programme

Excellence in Musical Theatre

Winner: A Place for us CIC for West Side Story – I Wish it was Yesterday


A masterclass in socially engaged practice and artistic citizenship, the judges thought this an incredibly important piece of work that, despite postponement, has already started a process of change in its community. Terrific and inspiring work to transform lives through music. NYJO STING

Finalists
Craven College for Little Shop of Horrors
Music Theatre Essex for their Summer Lock Down Musical
Northampton College for Level 3 in Musical Theatre
The School Musicals Company for Bamboozled - An Extraordinary Musical Adventure
Theatre Workout for Musical Theatre Workshops

Excellence in Primary/Early years (Music & Drama)

Winner: RSF for The RSF Primary Schools Rock & Pop Music Workshop Programme


The judges thought that the winner had carried out really inspiring work with hard-to-reach participants. A project with heart that is removing barriers to access.

Finalists 
DramEd
Lights Camera Action
Little Strummers for Ukulele Grand Tour
M:Tech Education for Team Tutti
Sing Up for Sing Up at Home

Outstanding School Music Department

Winner: Isaac Newton Academy Music Department


Outstanding indeed! The judges praised the winner for their extraordinary work, that has genuinely made a transformational change to the whole community. The judges said it’s just fantastic how many students are taking part and also taking GCSE and A-Level Music. A truly inspirational department.

Finalists
Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Music Department
Bourne Westfield Primary Academy Music Department
Chiswick School Performing Arts Department
Newbattle High School Music Department
Tiffin School Music Department
TreeHouse School Music Department

Francesca Hanley Inspiration Award

Winner: Shaheen Chino Khan, founder of The Bollywood Academy by Shaheen Chino Khan


The judges all agreed this person is a truly inspirational teacher who is deeply loved. Inspiring not only on a musical front but also in a deeply human and spiritual way.

Finalist 
Amber Smith, Founder, Cheltenham Children's Choir
Don Gillthorpe, Assistant Principal at Ripley St Thomas CE Academy
James Carey, Course Leader, The Rhythm Studio
Jessa Liversidge, Music Leader at Wigginton Primary School
Tom Daggett, OBE Organ Outreach Fellow, St Paul's Cathedral

Drama Inspiration Award

Winner: Aine Lark


An inspiring, passionate and committed teacher who did so much to further drama education in schools and bring the often fractious drama teaching community together, and is an indescribable loss to all who knew her.

Finalists 
Claudia Gray
Adam Milford
Lizzie Nurse
Zoe Rudge
Ellie Snow

#Goldstars Award

Winner: Charlotte Buxton


The judges were impressed with the scope of their ambition and vision, and remarked upon an amazing achievement in challenging times.

Highly Commended
Naomi Stevenson

Finalists
Celia Cobb
Chris Hodges
Dean Johnson
Jessa Liversidge

Music Teacher Magazine Editors Award

Winner: 'The Baroque Violin & Viola: a Fifty-Lesson Course', by Walter S Reiter


Drama & Theatre Magazine Editors Award

Winner: Theatre Peckham


Lifetime Achievement Award

Winner: Dr Atarah Ben-Tovim MBE


Atarah helped set the agenda for family orchestra concerts and workshops - a model that has been widely replicated and has become a standard part of orchestral and music education outreach. From her work as a performing flautist and through their vast impact as a writer and radio broadcaster, she has brought a love of music to millions of children, and sought throughout to empower students to develop their own strengths and their own ways of loving and performing music. There is no praise high enough for our 'Pied Piper of Rossendale', who has truly spent a lifetime giving inspiration to children in the UK.