WHO ARE WE?
Session guitarist and music tutor James Manders established Guitar in Schools back in September 2009. The school has since grown to over 300 guitar students within 18 schools, both primary and secondary.
The tuition is kept to 20 minute 1:1 lessons that take place during the school day. Students initially learn the traditional basic techniques of the guitar from note reading and developing chords to play pop and rock guitar. Primary School students are taught in view to take the Trinity College Examinations and reach a high level by year 6.
WHERE DO WE CURRENTLY TUTOR?
Primary Schools
Secondary Schools
James Manders
Founder, Head Tutor and Session Guitarist
MR MANDERS
James Manders is the Founder of Guitar in Schools (est. 2009). He studied at The Guitar Institute and The London College of Music and graduated in 1998. Since, James has been a professional guitar tutor and guitarist.
As a session guitarist and vocalist James has worked along side some of the greatest artists in the world including Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Tears for Fears and Ed Sheeran and regularly booked as a guitarist for the Radio 1 Live lounge.
For more information on Mr. Manders please visit his official website: www.jamesmanders.co.uk
James Manders has been teaching my son Dylan the guitar for just over a year. We have been delighted with his progress so far. He always really looks forward to his lessons, and has enjoyed the wide of music which James has taught him, from classical to jazz and pop. James is a very inspiring teacher who is able to motivate his students to want to learn and improve their skill. At the end of his lesson today, Dylan said to me “I can’t wait to get home and practise!”
MR GRIFFITHS
Wil Griffiths has worked along side Mr Manders since 2013. As a former student of James Manders Mr Griffiths has an in depth knowledge of the syllabus used at Guitar in Schools and over 12 years of experience working in schools.
Mr Griffiths has a huge passion for music which has led him to teaching guitar, piano, bass guitar, ukulele and beginner drum kit.
MR CAMPBELL
Mark Campbell joined the Guitar in Schools team in April 2025. Mr Campbell began teaching guitar along side Mr manders back in 1999 when working for a music service based in Hampshire. Now with over 25 years of music coaching Mr Campbell offers a wealth of experience to our schools.
Mark is an active song writer and music producer. Mark has recently released his own album and regularly gigs in and around Buckinghamshire.
Mark also teaches bass guitar, ukulele and drum kit.