Education

In addition to performing and other practical music-making, Ben is heavily involved in education, in both music and other subjects. His most significant contribution to this sector comes through his employment at Bedford Girls’ School, where he taught classroom music for eight years.

Bedford Girls’ School is an independent day school for girls aged 7-18 in Bedford, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas that is operated by the Harpur Trust. In January 2020 the school achieved excellence in an ISI Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection, which investigated regulatory compliance and educational quality. The latter focuses on two main areas: the quality of pupils' academic and other achievements; and the quality of pupils’ personal development - the school was awarded the highest possible grade for both.

In addition to his duties as a music teacher, Ben has been instrumental in developing the Junior School music curriculum. He also directed the Junior School Choir, leading them to prize-winning success. He nurtured several bands during his tenure, and has established a collaborative soul & funk band with neighbouring Bedford School. Although his performing career has necessitated a move away from classroom teaching he continues to work for the school as a sound engineer and visiting music teacher and he is driving force behind the school’s music recording studio and music digital media output: his work for the school in this area has been recognised by the Royal Philharmonic Society’s annual awards. The school is a registered Apple School, and Ben is qualified as an Apple Teacher.

Ben is also in demand as a private tutor, offering numerous instruments, music technology, music theory, maths, physics and English.