My friend and former colleague Pete Mallaby, who has died aged 62 of Parkinson’s disease, was a teacher at Holland Park school in west London for 20 years.
He completed his PGCE at the Institute of Education in London (now UCL Institute of Education) and began teaching at Stockwell Park school in 1982. The following year he moved to Holland Park, where he and I met as young, inexperienced but enthusiastic teachers. Pete rapidly established himself as a well-respected, and one of the first, school teachers of computing and IT.
It was an exciting but politically charged time to be working for the Inner London Education Authority. Pete was a proud, openly gay man and an advocate for gay rights. His comfortable manner and sense of social justice made him a compassionate and insightful teacher. He taught with ease and without ego. If pupils were curious about his sexuality, he would always respond simply and truthfully. His honest answers provided a safe space for young people questioning their own sexuality.
The introduction of clause 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act, banning the “promotion” of homosexuality, created a hostile environment that Pete navigated with dignity, helping colleagues to understand this challenging legislation and its implications. It coincided with the HIV and Aids epidemic and a period of immense sadness in Pete’s personal life as friends became ill and died after contracting Aids.
Pete was a valued staff member at Holland Park, a teacher-governor, a union representative and a member of the social committee; using his natural gifts as a socialiser to include each and every one of us.
In 2000 Pete was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It was a devastating diagnosis that he bore with fortitude, eventually taking medical retirement from Holland Park in 2003. It is a testament to his charm that TfL employees made sure he arrived safely at Notting Hill Gate station each morning by ringing ahead to alert transport staff that he was on his way from Brixton.
In 2007, following his civil partnership with Shane Wood, he underwent deep brain simulation surgery, which brought some short-term relief from debilitating Parkinson’s tremors.
Pete was born in Stockton-on-Tees. County Durham, to Harold and Rena (nee Fraser), who were both office workers. Following secondary education at Ian Ramsey Church of England School, he completed a data processing degree at Leeds University in 1981. As a young boy, he was a regular truant, self-educated in the local library, where he developed an encyclopedic general knowledge. Later he became a quiz show fanatic and won an array of competition prizes.
In later years, with Shane, he regularly campaigned for Parkinson’s research and development, hoping that if he could live long enough, a cure would eventually come. He will be remembered for his friendliness, razor-sharp wit and love of a good night out.
He is survived by Shane.
