My friend and colleague Vanessa Lambert, who has died of cancer aged 65, was an inspiring teacher who recognised that treating people with respect brought out the best in them. She was also a mentor to generations of young teachers.
She was born in Carshalton, Surrey, the daughter of Alfred Blackburn, a journalist and lecturer, and his wife, Jean, a librarian who became a social work administrator. The family moved to live with Vanessa’s paternal grandmother in Eastriggs, Dumfriesshire, and later returned south to Lindfield, in West Sussex. Vanessa was educated at Haywards Heath grammar school and graduated from Southampton University with a degree in English and philosophy.
Her Scottish roots called her back to Edinburgh University, where she obtained a diploma in medieval English. She then went to Finland, where she taught English under the auspices of the British Council. After gaining a PGCE in 1974 at Garnett College, Roehampton, she went into further education, initially at South London College. There Vanessa met Barrie Lambert, a fellow teacher. They were married by special licence within a week.
Vanessa taught English and communication, progressing from her position as lecturer to running the business studies section. In 1987 she moved to Kingston College as head of the communications section and subsequently became head of learning development in education, which played to her real strength, monitoring staff wellbeing.
In 1999 she studied for a master’s degree in applied professional studies from Surrey University, which proved to be an important and timely investigation into the effects of organisational change on the motivation of FE teachers. Vanessa was tireless in her support of both new staff and experienced teachers.
She is survived by Barrie and their children, Jamie and Jojo.
