My husband, John Mann, who has died aged 96, was an influential educational leader and later an enthusiastic community volunteer. Whether improving education, preserving history, or organising walks and events, John approached every task with generosity, integrity and quiet determination.
Beginning his career as a history teacher, John went into educational administration in the latter half of the 20th century, within local authorities and as secretary of the Schools Council, and thus played a significant role in many of the developments in English education during that period. This included the creation of modern governing bodies, community campuses, mainstream provision for pupils with special educational needs, and the establishment of a new local education authority.
