Tributes paid to John King, teacher of St Bart’s in Newbury, who died this month

A Newbury school has led the tributes to a former teacher, described as “a true legend”, who died this month.

John King lived in Porchester Road, from 1942 to 1947, when his father Rev George King was curate at St John’s Church.

The family then moved to Grazeley, when Rev King became vicar of Holy Trinity Church from 1947.

Mr King studied at university in Manchester, before completing an MA in the US, at the University of Florida.

He returned to Newbury to become a sixth form history master at the then St Bartholomew’s Grammar School on September 1, 1964.

Mr King, who was head of Patterson house, retired in 2012 having not had a single day of absence in his 48 years at the school.

Current headmaster of the school, David Fitter, said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of John King who gave 48 years of devoted service to our school without a single day of absence.

“He was a brilliant teacher of history and politics, sharing his passion for these subjects with countless students and inspiring many of them to go on to do the same in their own careers.

“Former students have commented on his kindness and his unique teaching style with an ability to hold the attention of a class without ever raising his voice.”

At the time of his retirement Mr King told this newspaper: “I have seen many fundamental changes, from a boys’ grammar school to becoming a large coeducational comprehensive.

“The regalia of the old grammar school, caps, Saturday morning school and the cane have passed into history.

“The old buildings have been replaced by the stunning and inspirational new ones.”

After his retirement Mr King was appointed the British Empire Medal for services to the community.

Mr King was also an integral part of the RAF section of the school’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and he spent many days with groups on Dartmoor preparing for the Ten Tors challenge.

He was also well known for his time coaching the school’s rugby, football and cricket teams.

Many former students have taken to social media to share their memories of Mr King and describing him as “one of the best”, “lovely, kind” and a “truly inspirational person”.

A number of them credit ‘JPK’ for helping inspire them to go on to be the first members of their families to go to university.

Dr Fitter added: “His commitment to the school went far beyond teaching with many hours training and organising our RAF section and coaching of rugby, football and cricket teams with what former colleagues have described as “unbounded enthusiasm”.

“We were delighted that upon his retirement in 2012, he was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to the community as we all agree he is a true legend of St Bart’s, a huge part of our long history and he will be sorely missed by all those who were lucky enough to know, work with and be taught by him.”

The school has said that it is discussing ways of marking Mr King’s commitment to the school in the future.