Those who remember Patrick Tobin will be saddened to learn that he passed away on 29 April 2020 surrounded by his family. Patrick was appointed as the Principal of Stewart’s Melville College and The Mary Erskine School in August 1989 in succession to Robin Morgan. With an excellent degree from Oxford University and a broad teaching background which included a spell as Head of History at Tonbridge School and previous experience of Headship at Prior Park College in Bath, Patrick was possessed of a formidable intellect and brought with him wide experience and a deep and lasting commitment to academic rigour and expectations.
Patrick was instrumental in developing many of the structures which remain part of our schools today including staff appraisal, the use of comparative statistics, the structure of the school timetable, an increase in the range and number of subjects taught and the introduction of a joint Sixth Year and shared guidance system.
Patrick was very involved in independent schools’ education on a UK wide basis and his appointment as Chairman of HMC in 1998 was a personal highlight. Patrick and his wife Margery, who taught in the Modern Languages Department of MES, retired to the Isle of Wight where he continued to be actively involved in independent school education as a governor of several schools and as a member of national advisory groups. He leaves behind Margery, his four children and several beloved grandchildren.
