Any opportunity to critically reflect on my practice as a teacher is always welcome, and today I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar reflecting on what outstanding teaching looks like, led by the music teacher who taught me as a teenager. My own music teachers were pivotal in shaping my career choice and fostering my own love of music. Now I’m a teacher I feel that I too must ensure my teaching inspires all to engage with music making.

How do we know we’ve been effective as a teacher? Our aims have been achieved? Simple, right? Ensuring all pupils succeed is the challenge, and they all need not be striving for the same goal so this success might not look the same for everyone. Success need not be about striving to grasp something difficult, as difficult is not the same for everyone.  As teachers we need to be wary…