Don Gillthorpe is Senior Assistant Headteacher at Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy in Lancaster, previously having been Director of Music, establishing a large department with a national reputation for excellence in choral singing. Don is a Lead Practitioner and accredited Specialist Leader in Education, supporting music departments in other schools and leading a school-centred Music PGCE course. Outside of school, Don is a former President of the Music Teachers’ Association, Head of Publications and a choral conducting tutor for the charity Sing for Pleasure, and Director of Music for the Morland Choristers’ Camp.