Paul Birken - A tribute to a much loved colleague and teacher

Paul Birken A tribute to a much loved colleague and teacher.

A tribute to a much loved colleague and teacher.

A message from Mike Kilbride

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Maths colleagues past and present

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Inspirational

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Caring

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Expert

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Fun

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Fantastic colleague

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Legacy

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Paul Birken

A tribute to a much loved colleague and teacher.

I once made the terrible mistake of asking Paul to take me through how he structured the delivery of Maths A Level. An hour later he was still detailing the intricate connectedness of all the constituent parts that tied together beautifully that made up this masterpiece. What became clear was that this was a man who cared deeply about the work he did, was hugely intellectually insightful about how Maths tied together and should be taught and was, more than anything, really quite extraordinary.

I used to subsequently joke that I would never ask him to explain anything to me again but I did, many times, as he was thoughtful and intelligent over a whole range of matters. Very importantly, he spoke his mind. Even more importantly, he wanted you to speak yours; he engaged, challenged and debated but he never once held a grudge or left a discussion without a laugh and a joke.

I miss Paul. I miss him as a colleague and I just miss his presence, walking down the corridor humming to himself and probably thinking about chance graphs.

I never really got to know him socially but I do remember one summer when we were ‘on holiday’ and we quite literally bumped into each other in B&Q every other day. We were both renovating properties but he was actually doing it himself, install the plumbing and the kitchen; I was merely playing at it and employing others. I don’t think there was anything he could not do - for goodness sake, he was even a table tennis champion.

Honouring Paul is important. I don’t want to ever forget the impact and contribution he made to helping us achieve everything we have at the College.

Thank you, Paul.

Mike Kilbride Principal

He was really quite extraordinary 3

Maths Colleagues Past & Present

Paul Birken

Maths Colleagues: Past & Present

We are like a family at times Paul always had the students’ best interests at heart and wanted to provide the framework for the best quality Maths provision he possibly could. He cared very much that we should box clever with resources and structure to allow maximum progress for our students. He never fell into any sort of complacency about this.

Stephen Yates Maths Teacher

His innovative ideas really helped to turn around our department. We are like a family at times.

I remember him fondly. He always made our

Jo Walsh

lessons interesting and cared about all of the

Maths Teacher

students he taught.

Emily Wagstaff Governor & Ex Student

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Paul Birken Inspirational

Paul Birken

Inspirational

Paul was one of my main reasons for coming to

can’t thank Paul enough. My next stage of life

Birkenhead Sixth Form College. I met him at an

is to study medical engineering - this would not

open day and we were discussing how I was so

be possible without him believing in me.

desperate to do Maths A Level but I wasn’t sure I’d get the GCSE grades. He then got extremely

Paul wasn’t just my Maths teacher, he was a

excited and starting talking about a student

friendly face in the corridor. Paul cared a great

who got a 6 in GCSE Maths and did A Level

deal about his students. He would often keep

Maths and came out with a good grade. He

me behind lessons to have a little catch up

was so passionate I knew that BSFC was a place

on how I’m doing and what’s new. “I walked

I wanted to go and I never looked back.

around the lake and saw some boats and tried to see if you were in one,” he said recently.

I then enrolled and I got a 5 in Maths GCSE

You see him in the corridor and he’s never not

which was at the time being remarked (went

stopped to say hello or ask how I’m doing.

up to a 6). Of course, as anyone would be, Paul was hesitant to let me take A Level Maths but

Paul became very protective this year as I

he took a chance and said yes. I had Paul for

returned from illness. “Don’t sit near Amber if

both first year and plus in my second (shorter)

you’re ill, go away!” He made me feel I was

year and again this year.

in an extremely safe environment at College despite challenging times.

I was originally put on a four week trial for Maths to see if I could cope before choosing my three

I am so grateful that Paul was a part of my life

subjects. Paul had me hooked from the start with

and the impact he’s made on me as well as

the amount of effort he put in to his teaching and

other students is something I will never forget.

the genuine care that went behind students’

Thank you for believing in me, Paul.

progression. Maths is no easy subject but Paul made every lesson enjoyable. My grades went

Rachel Choy

up and up and up during my time in College.

Student

I recently got an A in my January mock and I 7

Paul Birken

Inspirational

Always a positive presence I left the College a few years ago but Paul taught me in first year. He was always a positive presence, who encouraged me to keep going with Maths when I really wanted to give up and I wanted to give up every other week but he never let me! I’d go as far as to say that I only passed because of him. He was absolutely one of the most supportive teachers I ever had.

Rachel Choy Student

Enthusiastic & dedicated He taught my son and through his enthusiasm and dedication my son now is going to Liverpool University to study actuary maths, Jacob is very sad that he won’t get the opportunity to thank Paul for his support and guidance.

Claire Owens Parent

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Paul Birken

He knew each and every student well I wouldn’t be where I am studying maths at uni without Paul’s guidance through College. He knew each and every student well and made the classroom such an inclusive space to learn and progress. I hope his family and friends can find comfort in knowing he will be remembered

Inspirational

Ikedite Opuene Student Paul was a teacher who I felt didn’t see me as a problem and treated me with genuine respect.

He’s easily the best Maths teacher I’ve ever had and his support has helped me to realise what I want to do with my life.

To be blunt, I don’t think I’d be happy with my life if I didn’t have Paul as my Maths teacher these past two years.

I will forever be grateful for his impact on my life, yet disappointed for not thanking him while he was still here. I hope his family know how great he was.

by the many students he inspired.

Adrian Jones Student

Easily the best maths teacher I’ve ever had 9

Paul Birken Caring

Paul Birken

Caring

Sally Hotchkiss

I loved Paul. He used my Maths review to talk

Student

about my other subjects because he wasn’t worried about how I was doing in Maths and

I was a student at Birkenhead Sixth Form College

got my Physics predicted grade changed for

from 2014-2017 and did Maths all three years.

A2 because it was less than I got at AS.

My second year there I actually requested Paul as one of my teachers because he really cared about his subject and he really cared about his

Rachel Stevenson Student

students.

But it was my final year there that I have fond memories of him. He wasn’t one of my teachers but I had to talk to him a few times as Head of Department. My final year was probably my hardest one. It was that year that really showed me how much he cared. He was one of the few teachers who made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted with my life. One of the few teachers that had true faith in me.

While it has been three years since I left, that is something that has kept me going especially in the hard times. He impacted many students lives, more than he may ever have realised. He will be missed by so many.

He made me feel like I could do whatever I wanted with my life 11

Paul Birken

Caring

Erin Hayes

Generous & patient

Student Paul was my Maths teacher last year and to say the least that Paul was a patient man is an understatement.

I started the College in 2018 and he was my Maths teacher, from the moment I gave my first answer in the Maths class he knew he had a very difficult job in trying to help me achieve a grade 4. He had so much hope that I would achieve a grade 4 but for somebody who can’t do the simple division I didn’t have high hopes.

I will never forget the generosity that he gave to me. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss you Paul, thank you for everything you have done for me.

Paul was my Maths Plus teacher and he was amazing for helping out when I’d missed anything. He always checked in when I was struggling with my health and he was always happy to chat and joke which was something that brightened a difficult A Level.

Maddy Howard Student 12

Paul Birken Expert

Paul Birken

Expert

Jessica Jones

Tom Lee

Student

Student

Paul helped me to get through my GCSE Maths

Paul was by far and away the best Maths

when I had failed it six times back in 2013. He

teacher I ever had. The enthusiasm and care

knew how much it meant to me as I needed it

he put into every lesson got me to uni and sticks

for my nursing degree.

with me today.

The most awesome maths teacher I know Robert O’Hara

Student 14

Paul Birken

Expert

A fantastic teacher and an inspiration to myself as well as many others I am sure Anthony Jamie Peter Student

Rachael Pealing Parent I only met Paul once at a student parents’ evening and he seemed like a very dedicated teacher and an expert in his field.

Stephanie Love Parent My son is in second year and really liked him and his lessons.

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Paul Birken Fun

Paul Birken

Fun

Zaac Drake

Carefree & witty

Student I was one of his many students at Birkenhead Sixth Form College and owe many of thanks to Paul’s teachings for getting me into university and become a Maths graduate. I would like to share a funny memory of Paul’s carefree and witty nature. While I was in College, I had a long blonde messy haircut and one week I decided to get it chopped to a ‘wedge’. When Paul saw this in the corridors of the College he spun round, went the opposite direction to where he originally was going to tell me that I reminded him of Miley Cyrus and he didn’t know I liked Justin Bieber, then proceeded to go the way he originally was going.

Paul always made our Maths lessons fun. He was a good teacher and never failed to make us laugh. He always helped me, Lia Jones, Olivia Bateman and Chelsea-lee Griffiths and even though we were a struggle he’d never give up on us!

Livvy Cross Student 17

Paul Birken

Fun

Kate Holmes

Helen Taylor

Student

Student

I was a student at the College about four

He was such a lovely teacher. So supportive

years ago. Maths was my passion so naturally

of every student in his class and always made

I was taught by Paul a fair bit. He was a great

every class so much fun.

teacher and all round nice guy - someone who could always make me smile!

Someone who could always make me smile 18

Paul Birken Fantastic colleague

Paul Birken

Fantastic Colleague

Steve Hafford Colleague

A truly inspirational teacher

The news of Paul’s passing is truly devastating, Paul was an amazing teacher and colleague who always led with a straight bat. He was always willing to listen and share his professionalism and thoughts with colleagues.

Often, he would also make you take stock and remind you of the privileged position we are in as educators and how we can change lives and give young people new opportunities in life. Paul did that on a daily basis within his department. A truly inspirational teacher who will not only be missed by family, friends and colleagues but by the 100s of former students he taught throughout his career which began at Speke Comprehensive School and has sadly ended far too soon at BSFC.

He was so supportive, always wanting the best for his students and was proud of their achievements. Always had a smile and lit up the room with his personality. A great teacher who will be sadly missed.

Barbara Corfield Colleague 20

Paul Birken

Fantastic Colleague

Jon Thorpe Colleague Every other day, I would either bump into Paul

But whatever we talked about, and we talked

in the staff room, or we’d schedule a chat

a great deal, it would invariably end with our

about something work related. It was always

bellowing laughter, and promises to take the

the perfect combination of work and social

issues further in the pub. And we would be true

interaction.

to that. Lots of pints, lots of mirth and merriment, lots of insights. College life, my life, and all

When we talked about stats, he not only had

who knew him, are so much diminished by his

the precision of a mathematician’s perspective,

absence.

but a keen humanising sense of the real people – student or teacher – that lay behind the numbers. It was a brilliant skill set that leant confidence and warmth to his judgments on things that can affect real people in very real ways.

I have heard Paul referred to as an alpha male, but I found him modest and discreet in many ways. He was magnanimous about the considerable achievements of his department, passing the credit on to his team (well quite a bit of it anyway!). It was also lovely the way he spoke about his family. Certainly not sentimental but instead engaged, practical,

He was magnanimous about the considerable achievements of his department

aware and caring.

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Paul Birken

Fantastic Colleague

Ashley Vallance Colleague When I first became the Head of Psychology,

Paul and I had offices next to each other for

I always thought I had a grip on data. I felt

a year or so. His office was always clinical,

comfortable with stats and numbers as it was

clutter free, with just a simple note pad on his

part of my degree. On my first results day during

desk with some pencilled calculations on, his

enrolment of new students, I had to analyse

office door always left open, which I thought

end of year data - a few other heads of subject

was an excellent policy for a manager and a

and I were sat with Paul. Thank goodness we

colleague.

were! There was so much data to look at and analyse and I was feeling overwhelmed. That

I was very sad when I heard of Paul’s passing

day, Paul was my Maths teacher: when I left

and I knew that his presence will be dearly

school I thought I had left ‘Maths’ behind, but

missed by his colleagues. I wish I would have

as you get older you realise, it’s everywhere

spent more time with him to learn from him.

in everything. Paul, in a very calm, thorough, thoughtful, and precise way explained the

He was clearly such a dedicated, passionate

numbers I was looking at. He reassured me

man and we all miss him very much.

and made me feel at ease: a skill I’d never associated with any Maths teacher I’d ever met before. I was very greatful. I respected him for helping and being so knowledgeable.

Paul was always straight talking. In meetings, his dry and at times very candid sense of humour is something I will sincerely miss. He asked questions, made statements, which at times he knew were not going to be popular. He did this because he was so protective of his beloved mathematicians and Mathematics.

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Paul Birken

Fantastic Colleague

Paula Blakemore Vice Principal Paul was a brilliant, single-minded Maths genius!

I remember him explaining chance graphs and value added data to me every year and always being patient. He was forthright and funny and is very much missed.

Rob Myatt Deputy Principal Being a brand new Head of Department at the College, I often went to Paul for advice and guidance. This regularly extended into home renovation tips or best pubs on the Wirral!

Paul was of course a strong character in the College, never afraid to tell you how he saw things and he never held back! The impact Paul had on the College was huge: he led the Maths department to be one of the most successful in the country. He had an innovative and intelligent approach to teaching Maths, including the famous Maths videos which have supported countless students over the years.

One of the biggest compliments to Paul as a teacher and Head of Department was the number of visits from other colleges and Maths teachers across the country trying in vain to emulate his achievements.

A fantastic colleague Helen Hart

Colleague 23

Paul Birken Legacy