EAST RIDING TEACHER WINS SEND MUSIC TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Saiyme Gultekin, from St Anne’s School and Sixth Form College in Hessle, has won the Classic FM SEND Music Teacher of the Year award.
The award celebrates exceptional music teachers, who are inspiring young minds and opening up access to music education.
The judges of the award said: “What Saiyme has achieved in this special school setting is both inspirational but also remarkable.
“Inspirational because her practice is a beacon for what it really means to ‘make music available for all’. The offer is as wide and rich as the vision in the National plan for Music with superb curriculum but also co-curriculum offer.
“What is so remarkable is that Saiyme has also created a team of educators to do this with her which also makes it sustainable.
“With excellent continued professional development, leadership and curriculum design the offer is not totally dependable on her being there.
“I and the rest of the judging panel were incredibly moved and humbled by this majestic music teacher but also visionary leader.”
Hendi Longman, Headteacher at St Anne’s School and Sixth Form College added: “This is so well deserved and we are so very proud of Saiyme.
“It is an outstanding achievement and testament to what she has delivered to pupils here.”
Saiyme will formally collect the award at an event at the Royal Albert Hall. Winning also means she has won £3,000 to spend on music equipment for St Anne’s School.
Saiyme said: “It’s an amazing opportunity for our children to be able to receive money to buy specialist equipment.
“We have children who are wheelchair users, children who are partially sighted and have multi-medical conditions as well as learning difficulties.
“To be able to buy augmented instruments, that are accessible for them to create music and communicate is just amazing.
“The joy it brings the children is incredible. It is one of the most accessible lessons that’s available to any child or young person, and it’s incredible to see their smiles and the joy they get from it.”
