Christine Finnegan, subject leader for music at St John Bosco Arts College​

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What started with a belief in the power of music has grown into 18 years of Christine unlocking students’ potential, inspiring creativity and building confidence.

Having originally worked as a trained musician, Christine found herself increasingly drawn to working with young people. She said: “After spending time leading workshops and supporting youth performance groups, I realised teaching was where I could make the biggest impact. So, I completed my teacher training and have loved it ever since.”

Ensuring music is inclusive for all is a key priority within Christine’s practice and she is deeply committed to creating welcoming environments for her students. She commented: “An inclusive music classroom is a warm, flexible space where every learner, regardless of ability or background, can participate meaningfully through varied pathways like singing, playing, composing, or using technology.”

Christine’s dedication saw her most recent GCSE students all achieve Grade 6s or above, an achievement she is particularly proud of as it reflects her students’ “hard work, progress, and love for music.” 

Outside of academic achievements, Christine leads a vibrant extra curricular music programme, including St John Bosco’s choir which was named Catholic Schools’ Choir of the Year last April. She is also part of the award-winning team whose work supported St John Bosco to win Outstanding Arts in Secondary School at Educate Awards 2025. 

Christine’s students have taken part in an impressive range of performances, workshops and partnerships, including interdisciplinary arts events, DJ sessions with Gaia from Girls Don’t Sync, piano masterclasses with Richard Meyrick, and opportunities with the Liverpool Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Reflecting on her career, Christine said: “What I enjoy most is seeing students grow - musically, personally, and creatively. Those ‘lightbulb moments’ in the classroom, the buzz after a great rehearsal, or the pride on a student’s face after a performance are what make the job truly special.”

Looking ahead, Christine’s ambitions remain rooted in joy, inclusivity and aspiration. She said: “My long term goals for the music department are to continue building a vibrant, inclusive musical culture where every student feels confident, creative, and valued. I hope to ensure that music remains a joyful, accessible, and aspirational part of school life for all learners.”