Fiona Sexton

How long have you been working with Musical Futures?

15 years

What do you do?

I am a freelance music education consultant working closely with schools to shape and develop high-quality music curriculum, support preparation for OFSTED, and provide strategic guidance through the ever-evolving education landscape. My consultancy work allows me to collaborate with a wide range of schools and educators to improve music teaching and learning at all levels. Alongside this, I teach A level Music at an FE college, bringing current classroom experience to my consultancy practice. I also lead the choirs for Sistema in Norwich, where I’m involved in delivering inclusive, community-based music education.

Previously, I was Lead Practitioner (Music) for a large multi-academy trust and Head of Music at a high school in Norfolk, teaching students aged 11 to 16.

What is your background?

I studied mainly classical music at university before training to become a teacher. I’m a violinist and regularly perform in orchestras, quartets, and any ensemble in need of a violinist! I also love singing and try to fit it in wherever I can, even though I’m not currently part of a regular choir or group. When I’m not playing music, I’m thinking about it—especially how informal learning takes place in the classroom. In 2014, I completed an MEd, with research focused on what makes learning informal and how that plays out in music education.

Five words that sum up Musical Futures:

Inclusive, musical, engaging, exciting, relevant

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Gigspanner Band, The Blossoms, and quite a lot of A level set works!