The Classic FM music teacher of the year awards 2026

The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards in partnership with the UK’s leading music exam board ABRSM recognise and reward music teachers who are making a real difference to the musical lives of young people.

Nominations are open for 2026, between Tuesday 5 May and Sunday 19 July.

Teachers can be nominated into ONE of the following categories:

Category 1: Primary School Music Teachers (Ages 4-11)
Category 2: Secondary School Music Teachers (Ages 11-18) 
Category 3: SEND Music Teachers
Category 4: Visiting Music Teachers & Private Tutors
Category 5: Best Classical Music Community Programme 
Category 6: Lifetime Achievement

After entries close, a panel of expert industry judges will select a winner from the first five categories, and draw up a shortlist for the sixth category, which will go to a public vote.

The winners will each receive a share of £20,000 to spend on musical instrument and equipment of their choice for their school, all thanks to Viking.

Entries close on Sunday 19 July 2026.

2025 Music Teacher of the Year winners meeting Dan Walker, Myleene Klass and Ritula Shah at Classic FM Live

£20,000 OF MUSIC EQUIPMENT THANKS TO VIKING

The six category winners in The Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards will each receive a share* from a pot of £20,000 of music equipment** of their choice for their school, all thanks to Viking.

*Terms and conditions apply
**Instruments and equipment pictured in photo are stock imagery and cannot be purchased.

NOMINATE A MUSIC TEACHER

We want to know about a brilliant, inspiring music teacher in your life. Here's how to submit a nomination:

1. In the text boxes below, where signalled please provide the name and email address of the teacher you are nominating, and the name and address of the school they are affiliated with, if applicable. Please note you must have obtained the consent of the person you're nominating.

2. In the form below, describe in 500 words or less why the teacher you are nominating deserves recognition; and in 500 words or less, provide examples of the great work they have done.

3. Register your details.

The information provided in the form below will be used only for the purpose of running this competition.

All eligible submissions will be shared with ABRSM and our panel of judges, including one independent judge. They will be reviewed according to the teacher's impact, their ambition and ability to inspire, and how they have been a role model for great teaching practice.

We may remove any information you include that identifies other people before this is shared with the judges.

Entries close at 23:59 on Sunday 19 July 2026.

For more information on how your data is processed, see Global’s Privacy Policy here, and ABRSM’s Privacy Policy here.

18+. UK only - international entries will not be counted. T&Cs apply.

Nominated teacher details

Please enter your chosen teacher’s details below.

Which award would you like to submit a nomination for?

Teacher's Title

Teacher's first name

Teacher's surname

Teacher's email address

School name and address (if applicable)

Why do they deserve this award? (Consider their impact, ability to inspire and be a role model for great teaching practice)

Please provide 5-10 examples of transformative work they have done