Former school chief loses cancer fight
TRIBUTES have poured in after a former headteacher died at the age of 71.
Jenny Campbell passed away from cancer, the Stockport Reddish Vale High School reported.
The school said she ‘served Reddish Vale for 44 years’ after starting work as a biology teacher.
During her career, she became a Head of Year and was then promoted to Deputy Headteacher before becoming Headteacher in 2006.
In 1995, with the assistance of Jenny, Reddish Vale became a specialist Technology College making it one of the first Local Education Authority (LEA) schools in the country to receive such status at the time.
The move went on to inspire a number of other schools in Greater Manchester to adopt a specialist title.
In 2007, Jenny told our sister paper M.E.N that she wanted to make sure school wasn’t just about passing exams and was about acquiring skills for life.
“It’s not all about exam results,” she said.
“We have produced students who are more confident and more able to work independently.”
Jenny stepped down as headteacher at the school in September 2013.
The school became Reddish Vale High School again in 2016.
“Jenny worked tirelessly for the Reddish Vale Community,” the Reddish school said in a statement. She was instrumental in getting funding to build our school farm and was a champion of science and technology.
“For those of you who have connections with Reddish Vale High School over the years, you will remember the difference she made to people’s lives.
“Her other great passion was her horses, she was a very competent rider who took part in many competitions.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
Following the news of her passing, former school students and colleagues posted some of their memories of the teacher on the Reddish Vale Facebook page.
One former colleague wrote: “I worked with Jenny on several occasions. The consummate professional.”
Another person said: “Rip Jenny. You were so amazing with me when I went through some really tough times and I’ll never forget you.”
“This is so sad, she was my science teacher back in 1988,” another posted.
“I thought she was amazing, straight out of primary school and you get a science teacher that is funny, compassionate and genuinely loved what she did. Rest in peace miss x”
Others recalled times when she worked on the school farm. A former pupil wrote: “She used to have a lamb following her round school. Fond memories. Sending thoughts and prayers.”
Another said: “I remember visiting a stud farm with her as part of a school program and also had the opportunity to see her own horse.
“She was a genuinely passionate teacher and horsewoman.”
While another posted: “Miss Campbell was my science teacher (Vale class ‘89 - ‘94).
“She was warm, funny and took our teenage attitude with good humour! She used to light up when talking about her horses and horse riding.
“A fantastic teacher. Thoughts are with her family at this sad time xx”