1:1 learning & teaching • Professional mentoring • Coaching • Career guidance and support • In-person and online • Short Courses • Small Group Sessions • Guest Tutors • Guest Events • Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you got teaching qualifications?
Yes. On top their extensive experience in the education sector both Pat & Ben have teaching qualifications & hold up-to-date DBS certificates. Ben has a PGCert in Learning & Teaching & Pat has a masters degree in Learning and Teaching, a PGCert, & PTTLS qualifications, and they regularly engage in CPD and seminars.
Do you have much experience?
Yes. Pat established The Brighton Drum School in 2010 & he's held various senior positions within formal education including Principal Lecturer and Head of Department at H.E and F.E levels, delivered guest lectures, designed and delivered teacher training programmes, given demonstrations and masterclasses internationally, and he's written over 300 published educational articles. He's been teaching privately, mentoring & coaching professionally for nearly 18 years. Ben holds a senior programme manager position at F.E level, a Senior Lecturer position at H.E level, has designed courses & teacher training programmes & has been teaching & delivering masterclasses in his own right for 15 years.
Have you played professionally?
Yes, & both Ben Thomas & Pat Garvey have had illustrious careers as professional players for over 30 years. That continues in 2026 with them both still playing professionally at a very high level internationally.
What level student do you work with?
Beginners to advanced, from age 7 upwards. Students range from young beginners to established professional musicians that play with major artists, to teachers, hobbyists, and all in-between.
What do you teach?
We work with students on an individual basis but within that we teach different styles, technique, Trinity and RSL grades 1 - 8, RSL & Trinity Diplomas, musicianship, reading, independence, timing, electronics, playback, drum recording and production. We also work with other teachers to help develop their pedagogical skills and we offer mentoring, career guidance, and personal and professional development pathways of study.
There seem to be lots of teachers, how do I find the right one?
There are lots of teachers doing lots of different things, working with lots of different groups of students by age, level & setting etc. Recommendation is always good & reputation is key, but what counts most to begin with is knowing what you're looking for in a teacher or mentor and not being afraid to ask questions. Things like having a good rapport is important & it's also important that they're dynamic, that they're DBS checked, that they've (ideally) got some sort of meaningful teaching qualification, that they've got solid teaching experience & that they're adaptable to your requirements as a learner. It's also important that you're able to check somebody's credentials, for example if they say they're a professional with years of industry experience then you should be able to check that quite easily, & you should always be able to ask questions about anything you're not sure about.