3:33pm Saturday 24th November 2007
Passing on his love of music has won Jonathan Burgess, a teacher at Notre Dame preparatory school in Cobham, a silver award in Classic FM's music teacher of the year awards.
Mr Burgess beat more than 1,000 other entries with the extraordinary transformation of the school's music department during his six years as its head.
The department was praised as "outstanding" in the 2007 Independent Schools Inspectorate's report.
Described by parents as a "unique" teacher with a wonderful understanding of children, Mr Burgess has instilled a love of music in his pupils, as well as engineering a rise in the levels of singing and playing instruments at the school.
Ninety pupils take part in four different choirs. The success of his encouragement of teamwork has filtered through to the senior school, which now has four choirs, two concert bands, chamber groups, a jazz ensemble and an orchestra.
Many preparatory pupils even attend a pre-lesson music theory and breakfast club. There are free recorder and strings clubs for beginners aged five to seven and the nursery department is introducing children to rhythm and echoing songs.
Mr Burgess has also organised concerts, soirées, foreign trips and workshops.
Notre Dame's headteacher David Plummer said: "We are delighted Mr Burgess has been given the recognition he deserves."
He added that headteachers of schools as far afield as Birmingham have come to witness Mr Burgess' techniques.
Call 01932 869991 or visit notredame.co.uk for further details.
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