Music is key to Rachel's studies fund

Carr Hill High School pupil Rachel Battison has qualified as a music teacher - while still at school herself.

This means that she can now teach the keyboard in a group or one to one basis.

The 16-year-old has been playing the keyboard since she was seven years old. She stared having lessons while she was at Newton Bluecoats Primary School.

Her tutor Kevin Smith of Kev’s Chords, who happens to be a former pupil of Carr Hill, still goes into school each week to teach.

Rachel worked her way through grades one to eight before being given the chance to take her teaching diploma, which took 12 months and involved teaching a young student for 10 weeks, completing a portfolio and taking a practical and a two hour theory exam, passing both with distinction.

Although she has no plans to become a full time teacher, Rachel she says she will continue to tutor in her spare time.

She has sent her CV off to Blackpool Music Academy so they have Rachel on record for any future posts.

She said: “I plan to offer tutoring while I am at college and university instead of getting a job in a shop or a bar.

Tutoring will enable me to earn some extra money whilst doing something I enjoy.”

Headteacher at the Royal Avenue, Kirkham, school Mr Andrew Waller said: “This is a great achievement and an example of how something that starts as a hobby can turn into much more.”