My former teacher and lifelong friend John Forster, who has died aged 85, enjoyed a vibrant life of intellectual curiosity, sporting activity and whole-hearted commitment to his community’s development.
For 16 years he was head of King James’s school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. In the year before his retirement, the 1996 Ofsted report on the school said: “For many years the school has enjoyed leadership of considerable distinction. The headteacher’s vision has an inspirational effect upon the school community which gives him its undivided support.”
John was born in Epsom, Surrey, but his family moved when he was a baby to Skipton, North Yorkshire. He went to Ermysted’s grammar school in the town, where his father, Marselis, was headteacher; his mother, Violet (nee Heggart), was a languages teacher. After studying English at Christ’s College, Cambridge, he took his love of literature to schools in Kent and Lancashire before returning to Yorkshire to teach in Batley, Wakefield and Horsforth. His first headship was in 1975, at Titus Salt school in Baildon.
In 1981 he became a popular head of King James’s school, leading the successful comprehensive until 1997. As part of his fundraising efforts for the school and the community, John set up the Knaresborough Fun Run, an annual charity event, in which he also participated. He worked with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to provide courts for school and community use at King James’s. Passionate about providing young people with the opportunity to enjoy sport, he became the schools coordinator of the Yorkshire LTA and chaired its funding committee.
John became an Ofsted inspector after leaving King James’s, as well as a supervisor of teaching practice at the department of education at Leeds University. He also twice took on the role of acting headteacher at schools in Yorkshire and London. For Harrogate and District hospital trust, he was lead governor and deputy chairman, and helped set up a programme for young hospital volunteers.
A lifelong sportsman, he played tennis and was a keen runner and golfer, and a Leeds United season-ticket holder.
He continued to study in retirement, earning a master of education from Leeds University and a first-class BA in literature from the Open University, and wrote books on teaching and headship. He also wrote poetry, encouraging others to do so through the Calcutt Poetry Group and at Ilkley and Harrogate theatres as well as at Christ Church, Harrogate.
John is survived by his wife, Beryl (nee Clayton), his daughter Sally, son Michael, and grandchildren, Anna and James.
