(Photograph) - The first Classic FMTES Music Teacher of the Year is Rob Whale, 33, head of music at Bradfield School, a 900-pupil, 11-16 comprehensive in Sheffield. His nominators, Phil and Jenny West and two of their sons, Andy and Danny, say he has transformed music at the school, with thriving GCSE classes and numerous extra-curricular activities. Mr Whale was one of five music teachers shortlisted from different regions. He has a Performing Arts degree from Middlesex (then Polytechnic) where he also did his PGCE. He still writes music, often songs for the school choir which “on a good day could be about 100 people”. South African, especially Zimbabwean, music is a particular passion with him. His instruments are violin, guitar, percussion, piano and vocals. Recently he masterminded a 10-hour Musicathon to raise funds for his department.