Dave's journey to Music as a career wasn't a conventional one, as he was actively encouraged not to do a degree in Music, so he specialised in Maths and Physics at University instead. However, due to the amazing inspiration of his Music teachers at school, plus constantly gigging throughout his time at uni, he chose to study a PGCE in Music education.

Dave is now Head of Visual & Performing Arts at The Bourne Academy, a school based in one of the top 10 most deprived areas in the UK. When he initially started, he was the only music teacher and there were only 8 students taking music as a core subject. Fast forward to the present day and his department is one of the most successful in the school, with the highest grades for GCSE and A Level in 2022.

We cover so much throughout the episode. Dave talks about how giving students the best possible experience on stage through detailed set up and proper equipment raises the aspirations of each individual as a whole, how he, alongside a dynamic team of teachers and musicians have turned the department into a creative hub within the school, where in Year 9 alone, there are now 55 students taking music as a core subject!

He also talks about the importance of being a practicing, performing musician in order to be the best possible teacher so that the young people are inspired, which is why Dave goes to incredible lengths to make sure he is regularly able to go on tour with "Ian Prowse and Amsterdam."

All this and SO much more!

Intro/Outro Music: "Battle" by Ian Prowse

Middle Track: Live performance of "Running Down A Dream" by Tom Petty by Year 13 students at The Bourne Academy.

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