A tribute to Jonathan Driver

Jonathan Driver was an inspirational, charismatic teacher.

Jonathan Driver hosting EPA Quiz night

Jonathan Driver memorial service sheet

Everyone at Emanuel knew him as a larger than life Yorkshire character with a great sense of humour, sparking life into even the most reluctant student. He was always keen to provoke lively, creative and enthusiastic academic debate in classroom and common room and had a genuine passion for both History and Politics.

As a colleague he was always fun to be with, extremely erudite in numerous periods of History and perceptive in his teaching of Politics. He was hugely generous with his time and expertise, willing to share his insights into the material being taught, genuinely committed to helping students and colleagues alike.

He was also deeply involved in the extra curricular life of the school. As Head of Rodney House his enthusiasm and rapport with the students led to many triumphs in the Parents’ Shield. He was also Chairman of Common Room and his colleagues will greatly miss his shrewd diplomacy and great humanity which he displayed in this post. He ran the Debating society and was a key figure in the History and Politics society.

No one who was there can forget his enthusiastic explanation of different points of view, playing the various roles of Becket, Henry II, Henry VIII, Luther, Eurosceptics, Marxists (and the list goes on). He was a hugely popular quiz master for the annual EPA quiz. He also acted in many school productions during his time at Emanuel. He had previously been a popular head of year 8. Over many years he and I have worked for each other as well as alongside each other. I have always appreciated his shrewd diplomacy and common sense solutions to the innumerable challenges of life at Emanuel.

Outside school, he was a Conservative Councillor in local government. He had been Mayor of Lambeth, and at the time of his death he was working part time at Emanuel whilst fulfilling his role as Mayor of Croydon, with the intention of returning to full time teaching in September.

He made a unique contribution to life at Emanuel, and he will be sadly missed by students, former students, and staff alike.

Andrew Keddie

History and Politics Department

afk@emanuel.org.uk

Some OEs have asked about suitable ways in which we can remember Mr Driver on a more permanent basis.

Bristish Heart Foundation

One idea is to make a contribution to the British Heart Foundation. both Mr Driver and his father died of heart disease. This was Mr Driver's chosen charity as Mayor of Croydon. To make a donation please click through to this web site link:http://www.bhf.org.uk

Emanuel School Prize Fund

A second way to do this would be to contribute to the Emanuel School Prize Fund since we intend to create a named prize for Politics and an Exhibition to give to one student, each year, who wishes to study History at university. To make an electronic donation to this prize please click this link https://secure.efundraising.org.uk/tailored/donation.asp?charity=95244

If you would like to contribute to one of these prizes then please contact Sarah Fisher srf@emanuel.org.uk.

Mark Hanley-Browne