On Saturday 24th October Mr Colin Parker, Headmaster of King Edward VI Aston School passed away. Mr Parker was also the vice chair of the PACT board of trustee. This is a tribute to Mr Parker by our CEO Mr Gulzar
When I became the headteacher of Prince Albert School in September 2009, Mr Parker was one of the first school leaders to welcome me to the area. He was always keen to ensure that local primary schools benefited from the resources, facilities and expertise of the King Edwards Foundation. Mr Parker was therefore the first person I approached in early 2015 outside of what was to become PACT about the idea of opening new secondary free school in the area. From the very first conversation, he became an ardent supporter and champion of the new school. On behalf of the PACT, he secured the support of the King Edwards Foundation, convincing them of the value of the project. Mr Parker joined us for our many visits to the Department for Education and joined the PACT trust board in order that he could continue to help.
Working with Mr Parker both as a trustee and an advisor on the Prince Albert High free school project, I regularly enjoyed the pleasure of his company over the last 5 years or so. I got to know a quiet, determined and humble man who cared deeply for the pupils the communities he served and the colleagues he worked with. He clearly retained a passion for history and even though he was the headmaster at Aston, he was a historian through and through. It seemed as if he knew every boy at his school as well as those who had long since moved on. He was a man for whom kindness was as natural as breathing, he was a true gentleman. I am still in shock at the suddenness of his unexpected passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Parker’s family and colleagues at King Edwards. He is also a huge loss to education in Birmingham, not least the PACT board of trustees.