Mr Ward


It is with great sadness that we learned of the death in February of Allan Ward who taught at Carlton le Willows for an amazing 37 years! Although it didn't seem that way at the time, it's evident that he wasn't actually that much older than we were in 1973. The photograph above sums him up perfectly. An excellent teacher but always prepared to make learning fun. His stewardship of our field trip to the Lake District will never be forgotten! It began for me a lifelong love of the Lakes and I visit every year to get a bit of fresh air. I can never sit on Grasmere village green, or walk round Rydal water or climb Loughrigg or Hellvellyn without thinking of that week.
Speaking personally he must have had a great influence on me, along with Fred Lee, as I went on to do a geography degree at Manchester University. Several of you have already emailed me about Mr Ward and your comments are below (I hope you don't me using them here)- feel free to send me any others and I'll include them.
"I'm sorry to bring such awful news - I know he was a very special teacher, especially to all of you who so enjoyed the geography field trips, and wasn't he a lovely man. I can't believe it. " Sally Mcree "Very sad news about Mr Ward. He taught my son Mark Geography up to 1996, so I saw him at Parents Evenings, as you say a lovely man with a great sense of humour" Kathryn May
"It has stopped me In my tracks today to hear the sad news about Alan Ward - he and Terry O'Toole brought subjects to life for me. I was wondering if you knew any more and if there is any kind of memorial fund or perhaps something that we could do in recognition of his contribution to our education." Fiona Ellis
"How very very sad. He was such a nice man and well respected teacher. It was like old times in more ways than one when he showed us around the school at the reunion. It also makes you think as we all hit that dreaded age of 50 that you never know what's around the corner and we shouldn't all be saying 'when I retire I'll ....' - we need to be enjoying the present and not worrying too much about the future." Kath Clark
"Al Ward was really my inspiration to go into teaching - lovely man with no frills" Tats

This man must have been really special - remember these comments are from people who have seen him maybe once in 30 years! Fiona asked whether the school is doing anything to honour Mr Ward - they are setting up a bursary to benefit the Geography Department at Sheffield University where he did his degree. If anyone would like to contribute the details are shown below.
	Carlton le Willows School and Technology College Wood Lane , Gedling, Nottingham NG4 4AA Telephone: 0115 9565008 Fax: 0115 9565009 e-mail: office@clw.notts.sch.uk website: www.clw.notts.sch.uk
March 2005 TO ALL COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS OF ALLAN WARD Most of you will by now have heard that Allan Ward, who recently retired as Deputy Head of the school, was tragically killed in a car accident on the afternoon of Friday, 11^th February 2005. Allan was a very special individual, both as a person and a professional. Throughout his 37 years at the school, he was an exceptional teacher who gave his life and soul to the pupils. He had occupied many posts, rising to be Head of Geography, Head of Upper School and eventually Deputy Head. The rapid development of the school in recent years has in part been down to Allan’s stewardship. Countless generations of Sixth Form students owe their success in A Level Geography to him. He will be missed, not only for his contributions to the teaching side of the school, but for his tireless efforts to assist Sixth Formers into University to Oxbridge, running and supporting school sporting fixtures and being involved in countless school charity fund raising events throughout the year. The school Rugby Club intends to honour Allan’s memory by making an annual award in his name to a person who has contributed most to school rugby throughout the year. The inaugural award will take place during the First XV dinner at the Comfort Hotel in Nottingham on Friday 20^th May 2005. The guest speaker will be Dai Roberts, former Head of P.E. at the school, we feel this very apt, Allan ran the second XV earlier in his career. Any “old boys” wishing to attend should contact Neil Kendrick at school for further details. Allan’s wife Joy is obviously devastated by the sudden and cruel loss of her husband, but she is taking some comfort by the fact that he is remembered so fondly by so many people. We aim to establish a bursary in Allan’s honour with the main beneficiary being the students in the Geography Department of Sheffield University where Allan was an undergraduate. The capital from the fund will remain in the bursary and the interest will go annually to the Geography Department at Sheffield . If you wish to contribute by cheque, please make it payable to “ Carlton le Willows School ”. Your generosity in this matter would be very much appreciated. For further details, please contact me at Lower School . Yours sincerely Liam Reddington Deputy Headteacher