Surrey Arts’ teacher and local school win prestigious music awards

Surrey celebrates excellence at The Music and Drama in Education Awards 2025

Both a Surrey school and a teacher have won awards at The Music and Drama in Education Awards 2025. Surrey Arts' teacher, Catherine Williams, won the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award at The Music and Drama in Education Awards 2025. This recognition highlights her exceptional commitment to arts education and her positive impact on students and the community.

Catherine teaches percussion and leads the Surrey County Percussion Ensemble and attended the awards ceremony in London last week.

Catherine graduated with a Batchelor's award hons degree in music at Southampton University before beginning her career as a percussion teacher. Under her guidance, the Surrey County Percussion Ensemble has had many successes, including attending the finals in the Music for Youth competition and performing at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre. She has worked with Surrey Arts since 2005.

On winning her award, Catherine Williams said, "I am honoured to have won Instrumental Teacher of the Year at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2025. This recognition acknowledges my dedication to teaching percussion and my passion for inspiring students. I strive to build a good rapport with my students, helping them enjoy their lessons, make progress, and develop a love for music. It is wonderful to have the formal recognition and acknowledgement that my passion and dedication to teaching is of a high standard and is valued and making a difference in my students lives."

The Winston Churchill School in Woking was awarded the Outstanding Music Department Award, recognising the hard work of the music department staff. The school is renowned for its strong academic and musical programmes, as well as its unique facilities, including the community radio station, Radio Woking.

The music department has developed an orchestra and choir, each comprising over 100 students. These ensembles regularly perform at local events, showcasing the talent and dedication of both the students and teachers.

Chris Drake, Director of Music at Winston Churchill School said, "I think for me the Outstanding Music Department Award is recognition of the hard work and determination to see as many students as possible making music that has happen at Winston over the last 10 years. I have a phenomenal team who are so enthusiastic and driven to make music something that all our students can enjoy and be a part of and, of course, we have the full backing and support of our senior leaders to make this happen. We are very proud of our award which is very much for the whole school and of course for our fantastic students who engage with what we offer."

Councillor Denise Turner Stewart, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities said, "Excellent teachers and schools in Surrey ignite a passion for music that resonates through the generations, nurturing not just talent, but a lifelong love for the art of making music that will inspire and entertain future hearts and minds. We are proud of these achievements obtained by those working in Surrey right now for the children of Surrey."

The Music and Drama in Education Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Music and Drama education. They recognise individuals, schools, and organisations that have made a significant impact in these fields, showcasing excellence in teaching, innovation, and leadership.