A Derbyshire music teacher has been named the best secondary school music teacher in the country. Selale Akdeniz, who teaches at The Bemrose School in Derby, received the Secondary School Music Teacher of the Year honor in the 2026 Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards, presented in partnership with music education and exam body ABRSM.
Derbyshire Times reported that Akdeniz learned she had won during a video call with radio presenter Aled Jones, which she believed was a discussion about her nomination. She later received the award at a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Akdeniz joined Bemrose around the time of the Covid-19 lockdown and created performance opportunities for pupils through the school’s Culture Day, Christmas assembly, talent show and collaborations with Derby-based orchestra Sinfonia Viva. She said her aim was to give pupils reasons to be interested in music beyond classroom learning.
The school was also awarded a £3,500 voucher for its music department. Music is offered as a BTEC option, and lunchtime and after-school activities have grown so popular that pupils queue outside doors to participate, according to Derbyshire Times.
Deputy headteacher Shelley Baird, who nominated Akdeniz alongside Head of Creatives Martin Rooney, said Akdeniz oversaw vast improvements in the music department and embraced the school’s cultural diversity to make music accessible and relevant to all pupils. Year ten student Tobi said Akdeniz sacrifices her free time to let pupils practice instruments and encourages them even at their lowest points.
For more information, visit derbyshiretimes.co.uk.