Music teacher celebrates 20 years at Hunter Hall School

Head of Music and Lower School Class teacher at Hunter Hall School, Lynsey Wrightson, joined in September 2003 having spent time teaching in a large Blackpool primary school before moving north to lead the music provision.

In the intervening two decades, every single pupil who has passed through the school’s doors has had at least one class music lesson each week with Mrs Wrightson. In addition to class music, Lynsey also runs a whole host of co-curricular opportunities including choir and band which average 30 and 12 pupils respectively each year.

Lynsey conducting the school choir (Image: Hunter Hall School)It is quite unusual for a band to be found in primary schools and Lynsey ensures that whatever the makeup all abilities and instruments are catered for.

She has spent hundreds of hours over the last 20 years painstakingly creating arrangements that work for whatever band constitutes that year so that every child has a chance to shine.

Lynsey also loves to collaborate and is the lead teacher of the Penrith Schools Music Association, bringing together 400 local children from 14 schools to perform at St Andrew’s every year over two nights in December for the Penrith Schools’ Carol Concert.

Some of the music staff with pupils at Hunter Hall School (Image: Hunter Hall School)When asked about particular highlights over the years, they are many and varied. Lynsey commented: “An annual highlight has to be the Upper School production. All children from years 3 – 6 take part in a specially adapted show produced and directed by myself and Deputy Head, Kirsty Fletcher.

“We’ve done everything from a Midsummer Night’s Dream to Matilda over the years but the goal remains the same – quality in music and delivery of songs, and all children on stage.

“The children never cease to amaze us with their talent and it’s wonderful to see them all grow in the process.”

At a time when subjects such as music are increasingly being left behind by primary schools due to funding and staffing pressures, music is stronger than ever at Hunter Hall with more than 40 children currently learning an instrument.

Children from across the school are taught by Lynsey (Image: Hunter Hall School)In addition to the year-round both formal and informal concerts that choir take part in, they are often to be found performing outside of school in care homes, libraries, festivals and a festive favourite – the Hunter Hall Christmas Choir tour which sees children performing everywhere from Morrisons supermarket to Keswick’s Victorian Fayre over a furiously festive 10 days.

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Hunter Hall Head, Paul Borrows, commented: “Music at Hunter Hall has an enviable reputation in the local area and that is all thanks to Lynsey’s dedication and hard work.

“She has such warmth in the classroom, and the children really respond to her passion for music.

“Lynsey nurtures the musical talent of every child, and over two decades at Hunter Hall she has passed on her love of music to countless pupils.”