Cara Pennington, Cippenham School, Slough

Cara Pennington

Cippenham School, Slough

Cara is a passionate Music Subject Leader/ music specialist and flutist at Cippenham School, committed to delivering high-quality music education across all primary year groups. With 13 years of teaching experience in both primary and secondary music, she has created engaging and aspirational music schemes that cater to students of all ages and abilities, helping them develop their musical skills and deepen their appreciation for performance and music-making. Cara holds a BA Hons in Music Composition and Performance from the London College of Music and a PGCE in Secondary Music Education from Greenwich University.

Beyond classroom teaching, she offers flute tuition, leads school ensembles including bands, orchestra, choir, and singing assemblies. She is committed to collaborating with local schools to nurture musical talent and create an inclusive, vibrant, and community-oriented learning environment for all students.

Cara can offer coaching and mentoring in Community-Based Music Projects. Drawing from successful initiatives at Cippenham School, she aims to highlight strategies for establishing partnerships with local businesses and services, hosting performances, and organising workshops with local musicians. These initiatives provide students with valuable opportunities to engage with the wider community, enhance their sense of belonging, broaden their exposure to various music styles and purposes, and foster sustained, long-term interest in music and extracurricular activities.

Cara can also coach teachers to develop to teach or lead music aiming to empower teachers to confidently lead music lessons and actively participate in music-making alongside their students. She provides practical advice on engaging and leading students in their music learning, regardless of any formal music background. Additionally, she mentors teachers in confidently leading singing assemblies, using them as a tool to develop music skills in a fun, relaxed environment that fosters a sense of togetherness.