MEET
THE CREATIVE EDUCATOR
Jen is a music educator of 20 years, published author and founder of The Creative Educator. Jen has worked as a middle and senior leader in a range of school settings in the Midlands and London and is the Chair of Trustees at Lewisham Music (partner of the South-East London Music Hub).
Donna Ford Photography
Founder - Jen Hurst
Having graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2004, Jen also worked in community music, directing an inner city youth orchestra in collaboration with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Berkley Salon and Aston Performing Arts Academy, was Director of the Birmingham Schools’ Flute Choir and worked as the Woodwind Sectional Leader for the Birmingham Schools’ Training Winds Ensemble for Birmingham Music Service, teaching children aged 8 – 18.
Jen’s work within secondary schools has allowed her to plan and deliver the curriculum at key stages 3, 4 and 5 in music, working with children and young people aged 11 – 18, alongside colleagues from across the disciplines in the arts. As a former Assessor and Quality Nominee for Pearson’s Btec qualification, Jen has worked closely on assessment, quality and standards of work samples.
Jen was conferred as an Honorary Member of the Birmingham Conservatoire in 2014 and is an alumnus of UCL Institute of Education (MA Leadership).
The Creative Educator was established as a space to bring together educators and arts practitioners to share strategies and resources for embedding creativity in the curriculum, celebrating its impact on all learners. The consultancy has grown organically since 2020, with Jen subsequently collaborating with UK arts organisations, music education hubs and subject associations, reviewing and auditing curriculum plans, writing and facilitating programmes of teacher development, delivering inclusive practice training and providing independent evaluation.
Clients have included, but are not limited to: Music Mark, Music Masters, Britten Pears Arts, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Arts Council England, Abigail D’Amore Associates, SLS 360, Services for Education Birmingham, Co-op Academies Manchester, Tenebrae Choir, Demos, Sound Connections and The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM). Jen has written published contributions for Music Teacher Magazine, Diverse Educators and WomenEd.