Inspiration in Education nomination – Kieran Pestridge
Inspiration in Education nomination – Kieran Pestridge
Meet Staffordshire’s answer to Hollywood’s Jack Black and School of Rock.
Kieran Pestridge, from Trentham, set up Teachers Pet Rock Show UK eight years ago to give young people with challenges and disabilities an opportunity to use with musical talents.
The former demolition worker leads and performs in the rock group himself despite having Cerebral Palsy and being told that he wouldn’t walk without the aid of medical equipment.
The 37-year-old and his group have since had gigs around the UK including in front of an audience of 8,000 people shortly after Kieran was diagnosed with a ‘massive blood clot’ and advised not to perform.
He said: “I watched School of Rock whilst I was in hospital, and it gave me the motivation to do what I’m now doing. What’s brilliant is to be giving youngsters the chance to perform, show what they can do and give them the experiences and opportunities to take with them for the future”.
It’s now more than two decades since Jack Black and School of Rock hit the big screens worldwide, but Kieran and his tribute band are still wowing audiences not only in The Potteries but in the likes of Liverpool, and London too.
Kieran doesn’t just sound like Jack Black, he really does look like him too. He had always wanted to be a musician, however it was a life-changing operation in 2005 (Kieran had cerebral palsy and couldn’t walk without the aid of medical equipment) that gave him in his own words “a better standard of life” and kickstarted his musical career.
After the operation Kieran learned to play the guitar and played in a number of bands. But whilst he had a burning desire to help children to showcase their musical talents, it was a chance phone call in 2017 that was the start of Teachers Pet Rock Show UK.
“I received a phone call asking if I wanted to play a gig in London as Jack Black. I thought it was my mates joking, but after receiving payment up front I saw that this was serious.”
Kieran Pestridge has been nominated in the Inspiration in Education category of the Your Heroes Awards.
His nominator said: “Kieran is passionate about educating the children. He is an absolute inspiration and is respected by so many, particularly in the music world.”
Kieran added: “This is all about giving kids chances and opportunities. I am totally focussed on not letting youngsters down.”