Information About Timothy - Hitchin teacher -

(8 reviews)

Personal Description:

Tim began his musical career in London, playing clarinet, bass clarinet and violin in the internationally acclaimed Welsh Guards Band. As a Guards musician he performed in all London's major concert venues, made regular TV and radio broadcasts and played clarinet and bass clarinet on a number of successful commercial recordings. In 1984 he was selected for the three-year Bandmasters' course at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall. This full-time, degree-level music course was followed by promotion and an appointment as the musical director of a Regimental Band.

On leaving the Forces Tim enrolled on an undergraduate music course at the Colchester Institute School of Music, gaining a BA Honours (Music) in 1997. Since then he has enjoyed a second rewarding career as an instrumental teacher, gaining valuable experience from a variety of teaching posts. His pedagogical knowledge, understanding and skills have been further enhanced by a part-time PGCE course at the Institute of Education, University of London (2010-2011) culminating with the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Tutoring Experience:

Tim's pupils benefit from his comprehensive musical training and professional experience:

1997 - 1999: Teacher of music theory (Saturday mornings) at St Joseph's College, Ipswich.
1998 - 2010: Self-employed woodwind teacher at Gosfield Independent School, Halstead.
1998 - 2020: Part-time peripatetic County Music Service tutor teaching clarinet, flute and saxophone to pupils aged 7 to 18.

Tutoring Approach:

Tim benefited from Continuing Professional Development throughout the 22 years he worked, consecutively, for two County Music Services (CMSs). A CMS appraisal records a senior manager's observations of Tim's instrumental teaching:

'Tim sets high standards and is able to motivate and challenge pupils as demonstrated in Instrumental lessons. He is a reflective practitioner who regularly reviews and evaluates the success of his lessons and who adjusts his planning to meet the needs of his pupils. He promotes good pupil progress and outcomes as shown by the results gained by his pupils in CMS exams… His planning is well structured and shows progression and his delivery of lessons is thorough, consistent and supportive. He makes good use of the pupil workbooks to communicate effectively with pupils and parents. He makes good use of strategies to support pupil development. He is able to adapt his teaching to the strengths and needs of his pupils and he makes accurate and productive use of assessment, giving appropriate feedback to his pupils and making formative comments to support his summative end of year reports… Tim manages the behaviour of his pupils well and ensures a good and safe learning environment at all times'. (Ipswich, October 2013)