In tribute: remarkable headteacher who inspired three generations

LINDA AITCHISON remembers her junior school headteacher, Alan Harper.

My junior school headmaster, Alan Harper, who has died of vascular dementia, aged 86, seldom forgot a pupil’s name, even decades after they left.

With Lancasterian County Primary School (affectionately dubbed “The Lancs”) five minutes from the River Severn, in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Alan took personal responsibility for ensuring all pupils learned to swim.

He also excelled at teaching adults, which developed into a teach-the-teacher role, becoming one of the most highly qualified learn-to-swim instructors in the UK.

Our school was next to Shrewsbury prison, and once it had closed in 1988, Alan (Mr Harper to us) spent 10 years supporting inmates’ studies. Regularly encountering former pupils, or their parents, out and about, he always made time for a chat, enthusiastically recounting minute details of treasured school-day moments.

Alan was born in Poole, Dorset, to William, a boilermaker, and Amy, a cleaner.

At Poole Grammar School, he was a talented sportsman, incongruously known as “Podge”. Later, he acquired another ill-fitting nickname ... “Hippy Harper” we called him.

After working briefly as a bus conductor and a banker, in 1957, Alan trained to be a teacher, starting at Poole’s Oakdale Junior School before moving in 1964 to Cherry Orchard Primary School, Lichfield, Staffordshire, as Deputy Head. In 1968, aged 32, he became Head of The Lancs.

Throughout his 20 years as Head, Alan’s caring approach encouraged much more than academic pursuits. Country dancing, ambitious musical concerts, fancy dress parties, Abba-themed assemblies, orienteering and trips to Wales continue to spark great memories for three generations of schoolchildren.

Alan Harper with wife Mikki in Sydney

We reminisce about a warmth and fairness permeating our childhoods. We all basked in a glow of how he worked to boost our self-esteem and lust for life, regardless of our background.

With his wife Mikki and three sons, he keenly explored Wales, France and Spain. He wanted us to also share a love of the great outdoors and led many a school camping adventure.

Alan took up golf in his 40s. As a popular member of Shrewsbury Golf Club for 30 years, he proudly sported a ‘King Hole-In-One’ tie for official school photos after achieving no less than six. Rather than solely concentrating on his game he, unsurprisingly, spent his spare time teaching fellow aspiring players.

Alan is survived by his wife Mikki, sons Paul, Ian, and Gary, and seven grandchildren.

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