Lindsey Stirrat, a multi-talented musician and educator joins GESS as Head of Creative Arts. We chat with her about her very varied career in many regions, before her current placement at GESS.
Hi Lindsey, welcome to GESS and tell us about yourself and what you are passionate about.
‘Together we can’ and ‘How can I help?’ are phrases I use daily within the teams I work with – these being departments that value all kinds of performing, creative, innovative, expressive arts and artists in the 21st century, fostering a lifelong love of learning for the arts as a force for positive change.
I have travelled the world and surrounded myself in worlds that immerse in the abovementioned arts. I work with a goal to make arts education a strong impetus to unite people for sustainable and positive change. As an international arts educator, I was previously Head of Arts Faculty of another big international school in Singapore, and Head of Arts in a renowned international school in Salzburg, Austria. I place student agency and learning at the core, building robust pedagogical directions and bringing dynamic innovation and creativity into my community of practice, which I would describe as transformative.
I firmly believe that students learn to be open-minded and that there are diverse and equally valuable ways of conceptualising, practising and using the arts to understand how people and societies are different, and that diversity and global citizenship are inherently good. I am passionate about inclusivity and creating opportunities for all to embrace every music and the arts, creative communities, and their functions in society from personal, local and global cultures.
I have strong links with the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) as an arts curriculum consultant, and team leader for the IBDP Music course, also delivering workshops to international schools on programme development and course implementation. At the moment, I am researching new thinking on bespoke arts pathways for programme development such as Creative Industry Pathways (STEAM initiatives) for the MYP and IBDP.
Alongside my roles in education, I am a flexible musician, a musical theatre specialist, woodwind player and singer, passionate about contemporary, vocal jazz and world music. I have performed across the UK in a previous life, and across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia in various ensembles throughout my years abroad. However, my passion is collaborating with innovative and diverse musicians and artists who embrace cultural collaboration, fusing western and world music genres, conveying an awareness that music and the arts around the world exist as expressions of humanity – and that if we want to be true to this vision, then surely what we need to do is understand humanity, and we do that superbly well through music and the arts.
What made you take on this role at GESS?
GESS is driving innovation in education with our creative programmes, embracing the philosophy of putting students at the centre of how we think and what we do. This is inspiring and truly capturing IBO’s alignment of PYP, MYP and DP/CP.
The diversity of our student and staff population is a wonderful thing to be a part of. The opportunity to explore BeyondClassrooms initiatives as well as room to grow myself both professionally and personally are also exciting.
What is your initial impression of GESS and your fellow colleagues in the creative arts and music departments? What do you feel about the support you have been getting so far to get you settled in at GESS?
Diversity, passion, creativity, culture and artistry expertise along with community and belonging are words I would use to describe my first impressions of GESS. I am the sort of person who places trust in colleagues and believes in empowering people to be the best they can be. It has been brilliant to learn so much already about GESS, and the knowledge my colleagues have in their respective areas. I believe in ‘team-ship’ and collaborative practice, and I’m already feeling the joy!
What have you been busy with since the school year started, and what are some of the plans you envision for our students in their pursuit of creative arts and music?
I have deliberately spent the first few weeks meeting people, building relationships and making connections across the school. It’s a big school-wide role therefore my priority is to say hello in person to people around me, and getting more than just a glimpse into their worlds. Bringing diverse creative and inspiring programmes to students is my priority, ensuring students have the opportunity to experience performance, creation, technology and 21st century industry practices, both in the classroom and as part of an experiential programme in the making.
What are some challenges you foresee in this role, and how would you overcome them?
Creative arts and music are implemented school-wide, so I foresee I’ll be busy! However, with support from the wonderful, creative people I work with, I hope to nurture collaborative learning. I consider myself an approachable, flexible, caring and empathetic individual, one who places trust in my team. I expect the best from everyone, especially holding myself to high standards of conduct. Lastly, I believe there’s always a creative solution to every challenge!
Finally, what do you like to do in your personal time?
Outside the arts, I’m training for a half-marathon in December 2025. Having lived in the Salzkammergut Mountains for the last four years I’m massively into nature, hiking and the outdoors. I’m an earlybird so I will get up and out to surround myself with trees, greenery and places of nature. This is important to myself and my family, being together, outdoors and active.
