My father, James Sowerbutts, who has died aged 69 of pancreatic cancer, was a teacher and school governor who inspired innumerable students and colleagues.
He was a teacher of history, sociology and politics at Kingsbury high school, in north-west London, for more than 30 years, retiring in 2009. In addition to his teaching duties, he acted as head of year, rugby coach and head of pastoral care. Former students remember his encouragement, generosity and wicked sense of humour.
His dedication to education was not limited to his own place of work. Jim served on the governing bodies of three different schools in Bushey, Hertfordshire, where our family lived. His longest commitment was to Queens’ school, where he was a governor for more than 25 years.
Jim was a Guardian reader and committed member of the Labour party. In 1974, he and a friend were described as “well-dressed militant teachers” by the Times Educational Supplement, after an election event where they lobbied Margaret Thatcher for a London allowance for teachers.
He was born in Burnley, Lancashire, to Margaret (nee Duff) and Ken Sowerbutts. He spent most of his childhood in the hamlet of White Coppice, near Chorley, with his two siblings, Murray and Elaine.
The family later moved to Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where Ken was responsible for site security at GCHQ, and Margaret worked as a teacher. Jim attended Cheltenham boys’ grammar school. In 1968, he began a degree in comparative government at the University of Essex. He studied Russian in his second year, staying for a month in Moscow. He found this to be a fascinating experience, and went on to specialise in Russian government.
Upon graduating, Jim started work as a history teacher in East Ham. He then worked briefly in Ealing, west London, before, in 1974, starting at Kingsbury high school.
Outside work, Jim enjoyed gardening, music, cycling, reading, going to exhibitions and spending time with his family. He was a remarkably generous man in intellect and spirit, whose patience and insight were appreciated by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Christine (nee Lamb), whom he married in 1981; their four children, Lara, Elanor, Jack and me; three grandchildren; and Murray and Elaine.
