OBITUARIES officer attached first to the Grenadier Guards in Germany and subsequently to the Irish Guards, after which he became a teacher.
His first appointment, in 1988, was at Eton College, where he taught mathematics. In 1995, he moved, as Deputy Head, to Wells Cathedral School, before being appointed Headmaster of Pocklington School – his first headship.
From the outset, Nicholas recognised the unique character of Pocklington and sought to both preserve and enhance it, striving for the highest standards in all areas of school life, not least the School’ s facilities.
Pocklington thrived under Nicholas’ leadership with many of his ambitions realised. Pupil numbers rose; academic performance was excellent supported by a series of initiatives such as the Allen Society and the Sands Essay Competition. Nicholas also championed a stream of new facilities which not only met the School’ s increasing need to modernise but did so with quality and style. Most notably was Fenwick-Smith boarding house which was financed by a benefaction unparalleled in the school’ s recent history.
In January 2008, Nicholas left Pocklington to become Headmaster of The King’ s School, Canterbury, one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the country. From 2010, he undertook two international headships in Dubai and then Washington D. C. During this time, Nicholas and his wife Fenella welcomed their third child, Dominic, born in May 2012, joining siblings Lucinda and Oliver.
Returning to the UK in 2014, Nicholas took on a new challenge as Proprietor and Headmaster of Bronte School and Nursery in Gravesend, Kent. There, he continued his journey in educational leadership, strengthening the school’ s governance by establishing an Advisory Board. In 2017, he stepped back from the day-to-day management, appointing a Headmistress while remaining actively involved as the Proprietor.
Nicholas Clements will be remembered not only for his visionary leadership and commitment to education, but also for the warmth, respect, and integrity he showed to the school communities he served.
We extend our sympathy to Fenella, Lucinda, Oliver, and Dominic at this sad time.
( Pocklington School)
Laurence Coates( 55-61) moved with his family to Pocklington in 1955, where he attended Pocklington School as a day boy. He relished the three afternoons devoted to sports at which he excelled. He also developed an interest in Classics, and in 1961 won the Holbrook Exhibition in Classics and Hebrew to read Theology at Jesus College, Oxford. His family were devout Methodists, and he initially aspired to become a Methodist Minister.
In his first five terms at Oxford, he was the only student on his course, so lectures became tutorials. After four years he was awarded a first-class degree and the Pusey and Ellerton senior( university) prize in Hebrew.
In 1962 / 3, he met Elizabeth Symons, who was reading Maths at St Anne’ s, in a joint Gilbert and Sullivan production. Walking and music were shared interests, and they married in 1966. In the meantime, Laurence had decided not to pursue an academic career or to enter the Methodist Ministry. He had been influenced by a university society he attended called Crime: a Challenge to us all, which prompted him to apply for Probation Officer training. By 1967, he was a qualified Probation Officer and took up a post in Tottenham. In 1970, he and Elizabeth moved to Sheffield, attracted partly by the excellent reputation of the local probation service and by the quality of life the city and the Peak District would offer. Sheffield was their family home for over 50 years. Their son, Peter, was born in 1971 and daughter, Helen, in 1974.
Laurence had a keen interest in gardening and the rear garden in Sheffield was extensive and provided beautiful views across the valley towards the moors beyond. Developing the garden with fruit trees and vegetable plots together with the view were excellent antidotes to work stresses.
Laurence took on increasing responsibilities in the development of services for ex-offenders in South Yorkshire, becoming in 1989 one of two Deputy Chief Probation Officers in the region. In the 1990s, there was increasing pressure to cut local budgets and reduce staffing levels, and Laurence was granted early retirement in 1997.
In retirement, Laurence’ s voluntary activities were more focused on local deprivation. He took roles with Citizens Advice Bureau, the Sheffield Family Service Unit, and the South West Sheffield Primary Care Trust. He also took up singing again and joined Elizabeth in the Sheffield Bach Society, as well as singing in the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus. As local government cuts took hold, the couple played a major part in the survival of the local library run by volunteers.
Elizabeth developed Parkinson’ s in her early 60s which progressed until her death in 2022. Laurence devoted himself to her care to the extent that she was able to remain at home until the last few weeks of her life. Shortly after her death, Laurence was himself diagnosed with a terminal illness, but with the loving support of Helen and Peter, was able to live at home until the last two weeks of his life. He died on 23 January 2024, aged 81.
( Helen Minor)
Tom Dawson( 44-52) was born on 22 March 1934 in Hartlepool. Tom arrived at Pocklington School in 1944 and stayed until 1952.
During his time at the School he was a keen sportsman, representing the School at a variety of sports, including Rugby and Athletics. The highlight of his athletics career was achieving 2nd in the Shot Put in the Yorkshire School Championship of July 1951.
In his final year at Pocklington, Tom was selected to continue his education with a student exchange programme. In September 1952, he travelled by boat to America where he attended The Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut( later renamed The Fredrick Gunn School, after its founder). Again, Tom enjoyed sport – american football, ice hockey, baseball. From his stories he also enjoyed his time away from the college, visiting New York to attend social events at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and watching the Rocketts at Radio City.
He returned to England in August 1953, aged 19 and joined the Durham Light Infantry to do his two years of National Service. During this time, he travelled to Egypt and enjoyed living in a tent in the desert.
Aged 16 whilst at school, Tom met his childhood sweetheart, Olwyn in Hartlepool. They married in July 1957 and had two children, Amanda and David( 75-78). They had a long and happy 68 years together, until Olwyn passed away in April 2018.
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