The education community is mourning the loss of Bill Bradbury, a revered headteacher and National Leader in Education, who has died from cancer at the age of 73. Known for his sharp wit and unwavering left-wing principles, Bradbury was also a prolific letter-writer to the Guardian.
A Transformative Career in Special Needs Education
Bill Bradbury dedicated nearly four decades to teaching, with a profound commitment to his pupils with special educational needs. His leadership saw him take the helm at two schools, where he engineered significant improvements.
He first turned around the fortunes of Samuel Laycock School in Tameside, Greater Manchester. His success there was followed by an even greater achievement at Rumworth School in his hometown of Bolton. Under his guidance, Rumworth received the highest possible accolade from the education watchdog, Ofsted: it was rated "outstanding in all areas."
This exceptional work led to his appointment as a National Leader in Education (NLE) in 2007. In this role, Rumworth School became a National Support School, offering advice and training to assist teachers at other struggling institutions. Bradbury continued this school improvement work across the North West as a School Improvement Partner until his retirement in 2013.
From Bolton Grammar to Finding a Vocation
Bill Bradbury was born and raised in Bolton, Lancashire. His father, also named Bill, was a council labourer after being severely wounded in World War II, and his mother, Lois, worked in a cotton mill. The family lived in a prefab before moving to a council house in Tonge Moor.
A bright student, Bradbury passed the 11-plus and attended Bolton County Grammar School. He was a talented sportsman, representing the school in several sports and excelling at the high jump, where he could clear his own height of over six feet.
After an unexpected A-level setback, he took a resit year. During this time, he volunteered at a local special needs school and discovered his true calling. He went on to earn an economics degree from Salford University before completing his PGCE at Liverpool University in the mid-1970s under the tutelage of Jennifer Nias.
Socialist, Socialite, and Musician
In retirement, Bradbury rekindled his passion for music, reforming and leading his teenage band, the Tontos, this time as lead guitarist and vocalist. The band played notable gigs, including at OxJam events in Nottingham.
Described as both a socialist and a socialite, Bill Bradbury is survived by his wife, June, a fellow teacher whom he married in 1984, their two children, Will and Lucy, and three grandchildren, Louie, Minty, and Sia. He is remembered with great affection by his family, wide circle of friends, and former colleagues for his dedication, intellect, and acerbic wit.
