My father, Michael Barrett, known as Jack, who has died aged 72 of cancer, was a passionate amateur actor and theatre director throughout a long career of teaching, advisory roles and consultancy.
His teaching career spanned being vice principal of Derby College of further education (1984-87), championing vocational subjects such as knitwear design and hairdressing, to being a consultant to the New Labour government (2003-07). I remember hearing as a teenager how he would stop on a long car journey to let David Blunkett’s guide dog out to answer a call of nature.
From 1998 he spent much time as a member of the Nottingham and Notts Drama Association, arranging for notable actors such as Timothy West and Prunella Scales to speak. He had lead parts in, among others, Ladies’ Day by Amanda Whittington (2001), Improbable Fiction by Alan Ayckbourn, and Sheridan’s The School for Scandal (both 2008), at the Lace Market theatre. In 1994, his reviews won him, through the Barclays Theatre awards, a year of free tickets to every production in the East Midlands. He attended and wrote a review for every one.
Jack was born in DH Lawrence’s home village of Eastwood, in Nottinghamshire, to Harry, a colliery engineer manager, and Barbara (nee Sims), a school secretary. The family moved around various mining villages until they settled in Cinderhill. Jack attended Henry Mellish grammar school (1956-63) and, aged 17, met Janet Radmore at a youth club. They continued their courtship via letters throughout his electrical engineering degree at Birmingham. Soon after graduating, in 1967, they married.
Jack obtained a sponsored place at the Coal Board as a trainee engineer, but education called and he began lecturing in maths and engineering at Derby College while Janet worked as a secretary. In 1976 Jack gained an MSc in mathematical education at Loughborough University before becoming head of engineering technology (1980-84), then vice principal, of Derby. In 1987 he became principal of Hinckley College in Leicestershire.
In the late 1990s Jack spent two years travelling around the East Midlands promoting the National Vocational Qualifications. He was known as the “blue tornado” for his sharp blue suits, easy manner and whip-smart solutions.
He then took a senior position as an education adviser at the East Midlands Development Agency, which was abolished in 2012. From 2003 he worked as a freelance consultant to the New Labour government and was an Ofsted team inspector in mathematics.
In retirement Jack was chair of the board of a number of primary schools, tutored local children and was a mentor to local headteachers in Nottingham. He was known as a kind and gregarious friend and colleague, fiercely loyal and generous. He was a staunch supporter of the NHS and was grateful for all it did for him.
He is survived by Janet, by his children, Chris and me, and his granddaughters, Rose and Stella.
