Following a 15 year career as a Music Teacher and then Senior Leader in Secondary Schools in East Yorkshire, Richard moved to Birmingham to take on the role of Head of Music Service at SFE in August 2024.

Throughout his time in schools, Richard was a champion for Arts Education and the opportunities it can give to raise the aspiration of young people from all backgrounds.

As an Assistant Headteacher, Richard focussed on the development of Teaching and Learning across the school, whilst at the same time ensuring that Music and the Arts had a voice, championing them at Senior level.

Since moving to SFE, Richard has brought this inclusive and aspirational ethos to Birmingham – championing young people from across the city and ensuring that the SFE Music Service continues to represent the musical and cultural diversity of the city.

Jo Perrin - Head of School Support, Adviser, Services For Education

Jo Perrin is a seasoned Education Adviser with a strong background in safeguarding. She has held key roles as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, secondary school teacher and pastoral lead in the education sector. Facilitating training to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working directly with children and young people is her passion.

With a wealth of experience in teaching PSHE and expertise in childhood trauma from her time as a foster carer, Jo is dedicated to supporting organisations that work with children and vulnerable adults on safeguarding issues.

She is actively involved in professional safeguarding groups in the West Midlands and is currently collaborating on a research project with colleagues from the University of Birmingham focusing on FGM awareness within communities. Jo has worked as a West Midlands' Adviser for national PSHE resources, presented at the Sex Education Forum National Members' Event and authored an advertorial for PSM magazine, and articles for both SEND magazine and SecEd.

Jo's expertise extends to training on topics such as Safer Recruitment and Mental Health at Work. She is also a facilitator for the nationally recognised NPQSL and NPQ SENCO qualifications, supporting senior leaders in education. Her contributions to publications and development of resources for RSE provision have been well-received by schools nationally and internationally.

With her extensive experience and dedication to professional development, Jo Perrin is a highly respected figure in the field of education. Her guidance on safeguarding, mental health awareness, personal development, and relationships education is highly valued within the industry.

Sarah Chatt studied Music at Birmingham Conservatoire and in New York, gaining both undergraduate and Master’s degrees. She has taught percussion and drum kit with SFE and in independent schools for over 25 years. She was instrumental in establishing Birmingham Schools’ Training Percussion Ensemble, which she has conducted since its creation nearly two decades ago.

Sarah is a committed advocate for the power of ensemble playing, valuing its impact on both musical development and young people’s confidence, teamwork, and wellbeing. She has a particular passion for creating ambitious and authentic performance opportunities at every level, from grass-roots school groups through to national and international stages.

Alongside her teaching and leadership, Sarah maintains a vibrant freelance performance career. She appears regularly with The Royal Shakespeare Company, Longborough Festival Opera, leading baroque ensembles and historically informed performances, bringing a wealth of professional experience to her educational work. Each summer Sarah can be found in muddy fields across the country performing in the orchestra and firing over 400 live cannons for the Battle Proms concerts!

Paul Douglas - Head of SFE Music School, Deputy Head of Music Service, Services For Education

Paul studied music at the University of Hull before embarking on a varied portfolio career, including projects management, songwriting, performing, studio recording, and conducting at venues all over the UK, as well as many parts of Europe and the USA.

Paul joined the Music Service in 2006 as a brass, piano and keyboard teacher, as well as obtaining his PGCE. Paul was Head of Ensembles from 2014-2019, and has been the Head of the highly successful and growing SFE Music School since its inception in 2018.

Sophie Gray - Head of Inclusion, Services For Education

Sophie Gray has been in music education for the past 20 years working primarily in special schools/alternative provision and with those with complex disabilities. Sophie is Head of Inclusion, and teacher at Services For Education’s Music Service, and link tutor on the PgCert in Sounds of Intent which investigates and promotes the musical development of children and young people with learning difficulties - although the system can also be used effectively with adults. She is also currently studying for an MA in Severe, Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (SPMLD) at the University of Birmingham. Sophie is also co-author of Count Me In!, published in 2023.

Sophie has always believed in the power of music for everyone at any age, from any background, but especially for those with the most complex disabilities.

Adam Hickman - Deputy Head of Music Service, Services For Education

Adam graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (formerly Birmingham Conservatoire) in 2008 with a BMus (Hons) degree, where he studied classical guitar with Mark Ashford and Mark Eden. Upon graduation, Adam completed a PGCE in Primary Education at Birmingham City University and has since worked as a peripatetic music teacher. He is currently Deputy Head of Music Service at Services For Education.

In the past, Adam has worked as an External Examiner at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and coordinated and lectured on music education modules at both Birmingham City University and The University of Birmingham.

In June 2019, Adam was awarded Honorary Membership of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in recognition for his work in music education. Adam is also active as a conductor and ensemble director through his work with the Birmingham Schools’ Training Guitar Ensemble and the National Youth Guitar Ensemble.

Since graduating from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2006, Bethan has worked as a drum kit and percussion teacher across both the private and state sectors. She regularly leads children's workshops for Symphony Hall and the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

Bethan joined Services for Education in 2003 as a Drum Kit and Percussion teacher. She has experience teaching in Primary, Secondary, Further Education, and SEND settings. From 2019-2025 Bethan was the Assistant Head of the Percussion and World Music Department.

A strong advocate for the transformative power of collaborative music-making, Bethan is proud to direct the Birmingham Schools’ Percussion Ensemble. She is passionate about removing barriers to learning and is a trained Mental Health First Aider

In addition to her teaching, Bethan enjoys a career as a freelance percussionist, specialising in tuned and orchestral percussion. She has performed and recorded with a wide range of artists, including The Hilliard Ensemble, The Ed Puddick Big Band, Paul Dunmall, and Stagecoach Theatre Arts.

Emma Mudge - Adviser, Services For Education

Emma has more than 20 years' experience in primary education and has worked in a variety of roles, including Assistant Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and Acting Head Teacher - working at the forefront of school leadership and improvement for the majority of her career.

Emma now works as an Educational Adviser, sharing her experience and knowledge to continually promote and improve the standard of teaching and learning in English, develop and extend the safeguarding culture within schools and to support leaders with their school improvement implementation overall.

Supporting schools with the accuracy of their writing assessments is an important part of her role, using her expertise as the moderation and monitoring manager to inform, train and support teachers and school leaders.

Emma is also part of the team which delivers the Health For Life programme (improving the healthy opportunities for primary aged children) and has delivered the NPQSL for 3 years, where she proudly supports the development of our aspiring leaders in the city.

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in Primary Education for over 15 years, holding a range of leadership positions including Assistant Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Having worked across several local authorities and multi-academy trusts, Lucie has developed extensive expertise in safeguarding and supporting children and young people to thrive both academically and personally.

At Services For Education, Lucie is a member of the Safeguarding Team, working with schools, colleges, trusts and other educational settings across Birmingham and beyond. She delivers statutory safeguarding and training, supports organisations through safeguarding audits and reviews and works collaboratively with leaders to strengthen safeguarding culture and practice.

Alongside her safeguarding work, Lucie leads the impactful Health for Life programme across Birmingham, supporting schools to promote healthy lifestyles, wellbeing and positive outcomes for pupils, families and wider communities. Drawing on her extensive school leadership experience, she also contributes to teacher development through her previous work with the SCITT programme and as a facilitator of the Early Career Framework (ECF), supporting trainee and Early Career Teachers to build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for successful careers in education.

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