A music teacher who for more than 20 years has been teaching Sitar instrumental music in Birmingham schools, has been declared Teacher/Lecturer of the Year in the 2025 Education Awards held in Birmingham.

Gurdeep Singh Dharni, a Sitar String Teacher with Services For Education’s Music Service – which each week teaches music to 32,000 Birmingham children – was nominated for the award by William Murdock Primary School, Nishkam High School, King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls and the Namdhari community.

The award recognised Gurdeep’s “exceptional dedication, passion and innovation in the field of Asian string music education” and “his genuine love for teaching and ability to inspire others”.

“His patience, kindness, and infectious enthusiasm create a positive and motivating learning environment,” said the citation.

A graduate from University of Central England/Birmingham City University in classical Raga Music, Gurdeep joined Birmingham Music Service – now part of charity Services For Education – some 23 years ago.

Richard Mabbott, Head of the Music Service at Services For Education, said he was delighted that a member of Services For Education’s team of 178 music teachers had been honoured in this way.

“Gurdeep is a fine example of the brilliant work that is delivered each and every day by our dedicated music teachers and wider SFE staff. I am particularly proud of the work our staff deliver working in partnership with Birmingham schools and the positive impact they have on thousands of children’s lives that help nurture the next generation of musicians in Birmingham,” he said.

The annual Education Awards in Birmingham celebrate excellence and innovation in the education sector, recognising individuals, teams, and organisations acting as a platform to acknowledge contributions to education across various levels, from early years to higher education and beyond.

ENDS

Gurdeep Singh Dharni, Teacher/Lecturer of the Year in the 2025 Education Awards

For further information:

Public and media relations for Services For Education:
David Clarke
E: david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk;
M: 07808 735255

About Services For Education:  An education and training charity based in Birmingham, Services For Education brings music and learning to life. Services For Education employs more than 200 staff delivering music tuition to children, and expert training and development to teaching and school support staff. It has annual income of £7.1m (Y/E August 2024). Part-funded by the Arts Council, England it also has its own fundraising and subsidised commercial operations.

• Services For Education’s School Support Service provides expert training and development to teaching and support staff in nearly 600 schools in the West Midlands and increasingly across England, to improve practice and ensure teachers are best equipped to respond to developments in curriculum and policy. As a leading provider of safeguarding education, Services For Education works with 400 schools delivering training in-person and on-line. It also delivers innovative programmes to support the physical and emotional health of children and young people through Health for Life and other community-based activity.
• Services For Education’s Music Service, one of the largest in the country, works with 98% of Birmingham schools and each week teaches music to nearly 32,000 children – as well as running 113 free ensembles. It provides 27,000 musical instruments free-of-charge so all children have access to playing and enjoying music together and its Youth Proms at Symphony Hall give 4,000 young musicians the opportunity to perform to an audience of more than 10,000. It also runs music schools, has a world music department, provides private music tuition to all ages as well as working with partners to deliver music and choral opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. Its award-winning Online Music Educational Resource was completed and launched free to schools in 2021 to appeal to a young IT-connected audience attracted to learning online and to complement traditional tuition.
• servicesforeducation.co.uk

Issued on behalf of:

Services For Education
Unit 3 Holt Court
Holt Street
Birmingham Science Park
Aston
Birmingham B7 4AX