Cambridge to read Classics and Theology , and there met his future wife Pat . The next three years were spent at Headingley Methodist College training for the ministry before he and Pat moved to teach at a mission school in Malaysia teaching Chinese , Malay and Iban students . David taught English , ran the library , gave organ lessons , refereed football and ran the boat-engine maintenance club .
At Sevenoaks David first taught English and RE before he was asked to set up the newly opened Johnson Library ( named after the original benefactor , not David ). David transformed a building that had once been used for assemblies , school productions and a gymnasium into one of the best school libraries in the country . This involved the introduction of computers so that Sixth Formers could do their private study in the area upstairs . This was so unusual at the time that other school librarians came to view what David had set up . He also found the time to coach the school 2nd XI for 20 years , ensuring that he was able to give something back to the sport he loved .
DAVID JOHNSON 1935-2020
David came to Sevenoaks in January 1975 and spent the next 20 years at the school . He arrived via Bradford , Cambridge , Headingley and Sibu .
David was educated at Bradford Grammar School where he flourished academically , and was Deputy Head Boy as well as captain of rugby and cricket . He excelled at cricket in particular and he was selected to captain Yorkshire Under 19s . He did national service in the Navy and received a commission , and represented the Navy at cricket against the Army and the RAF . He then went up to St Catharine ’ s College ,
Pat also joined Sevenoaks School , teaching in the Mathematics department . She was the first full-time female member of staff and eventually became Senior Mistress . The school had taken girls into the Sixth Form in 1976 , moving to full co-education in 1984 , and Pat was given responsibility for ensuring that the interests and welfare of girls were looked after . This was just as well , as at one stage David ’ s whole family , Catherine , Andrew and Pat , were at the school .
Following retirement in 1995 David and Pat moved to Glenridding on the southern shore of Ullswater in the Lake District . They characteristically threw themselves into the life of the local community , with David playing the organ and taking services in the churches and chapels in the Penrith area before Parkinson ’ s disease took its toll .
When David retired , Alan Hurd , in his tribute , called David a man of many parts . He could have added that he was a modest colleague who quietly made his mark at the school .
Mike Bolton
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