TRIBUTES have been
paid to a popular
Southampton head
teacher who has died of
cancer.
David Martindale changed the
fortunes of Bevois Town Primary
and Mason Moor Primary schools
before leaving the city due to ill
health.
The father of five retired to his
home in Salisbury two years ago
but has died after a long battle
against cancer.
Former colleague Harrie
Atkinson, head teacher of Bevois
Town Primary, said he turned the
school around when he brought it
out of special measures.
"He was an inspiration to everyone,"
she said.
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"The staff and pupils loved him
and he left a lasting impression.
He really cared for the school and
worked very hard to turn it
around and bring it out of special
measures. He is very sadly missed
by a lot of people and was also a
popular member in the Head
Teachers' Union."
Mrs Atkinson took over as head
teacher from David five years ago
when he moved to Mason Moor in
Millbrook.
At the time Mason Moor was the
only school in the city to be listed
in a national league table of the
200 worst primary schools.
Within a year at the school he
managed to again transform the
fate of the staff and students and
worked closely with parents of
children to improve standards.
Southampton City Council's
Head of School Standards
Rosemary Tong praised the head
teacher who was much loved and
highly respected'.
"He took over the headship at
Bevois Town, where he brought
about a remarkable transformation
in a school undergoing significant
difficulties.
"Then he moved to Mason Moor,
another school where there was a
big job to do. Again, under his
leadership the school showed
rapid improvement in a short
space of time."
Rosemary praised his commitment
to the families in the city to
provide the best education possible.
She added:"It is a great tribute to
his lasting impact that both these
schools have continued to grow
from strength to strength, building
on the foundations which he
laid."
"He played an important part in
supporting other heads in the city,
and influenced many lives among
the pupils, parents and professionals
with whom he came into contact.
The profession has lost an
outstanding teacher and head
teacher."
A funeral service was held in
Salisbury on Friday.
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