Old Tauntonian Review APRIL 2011 Old Tauntonian Office details: Tel: (01823) 703158 Fax: (01823) 703704 Email:
[email protected] Website: http://taunton.web-intouch.com RUTH GRAY HODGSON TIME FOR A GROWN-UP Headmistress Weirfield School (1973-85) 17 September 1925-14 February 2011 CONVERSATION ABOUT Ruth died after a long illness on St Valentine’s Day, a fitting testimony to, and a yearly reminder of, her love, SECONDARY EDUCATION shown in so many practical and unfussy ways. Her loving was not ostentatious, The free schools revolution does not go far They can also expand quickly and effectively to but it was deeply felt by its recipients. enough. Much as it is to be applauded to give demand. The doors are therefore open now. more decision-making powers to schools rather Families on the other hand will need to make The year of her birth was also significant. She was born, than faceless state institutions, the freedom something of a contribution. And here is the rub. so she would state, in the same year as the Queen and enjoyed by individual sets of parents is limited. Families with such united aims for their children Mrs Thatcher – both of whom she admired. Ruth was Free schools will take many years to establish will stay together, working towards a common born in 1925: one of two girls born to her parents in themselves. Parents will see little benefit for and worthy goal. So empowered, parents will Co Durham. The family moved south to Watford when their own children. The experiment may have work harder for their children and children will worked in Sweden over the past 20 years, gain from the broad, demanding, aspirational Ruth was aged 7.