Former Matravers head remembered

TRIBUTES will be made to former Matravers School headteacher, Kenneth Evans, on Friday 6th December at 1pm at West Wiltshire Crematorium.

Kenneth Evans died on the 31st October at the age of 91. He was the headmaster of Matravers School from 1966-1986.

 He was educated at King’s School Worcester and Exeter University. He started teaching in a grammar school in London. He then went on to work in secondary modern schools and finally comprehensive education, in which he strongly believed. Kenneth Evans took up the reins of leadership at Matravers in September 1966.

He started at Matravers School when it was Westbury County Secondary Modern School. It became a comprehensive school in the 1970s under his leadership and subsequently it became Matravers School after John Matravers, who left money in his will for educational purposes.

He was also involved in the preparations for the raising of the school leaving age in 1972.

During his tenure at the school a great deal of emphasis was placed on supporting children with special needs, including running a special unit. There was a small farm and horticultural facility for children to develop their understanding of animal husbandry and gardening. Children were also encouraged to learn car mechanics.

He leaves two surviving children; a son, whose naval career included the Falklands War, and a daughter, who followed in her father’s footsteps, championing special needs education.