Pupil's tribute to head teacher killed in A38 crash

Tributes have been paid to the tragic head of a Nottinghamshire school who was killed in a motorcycle crash.
Tributes have been paid to the Warsop head teacher who died in a tragic motorcycle crash on August 21.Tributes have been paid to the Warsop head teacher who died in a tragic motorcycle crash on August 21.
Tributes have been paid to the Warsop head teacher who died in a tragic motorcycle crash on August 21.

Ian Perry, 48, head teacher at Sherwood Junior School in Warsop died after riding his motorcycle into the back of a stationary HGV on the A38 near Ripley, on August 21.

The head lived in Church Warsop in Mansfield District and is described as a 'kind' and 'unassuming' man much-loved around his school.

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This afternoon one of his pupils, Charlotte Duncalf, 11, who left the school at the end of last term, stopped by his Church Warsop house to post a card for his family.

She said: "He was the best head teacher. He made everyone feel welcome.

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Described as a 'quiet man', but a good neighbour who filled his life with various projects, neighbours said it was sad that he had so much going on before he died.

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Colin Coombes, 79, a retired helicopter engineer who lives next door, said: "He was a vital man - when he moved here last December he put so much work into the house to restore it and he did all this work in the garden.

"We could have set our watches to him, when he set off school every morning."

His wife Diane added: "This will be really felt around here. He was a kind, gentle man - hard working and unassuming.

Marleen Chadburn, 77, who lives a few doors from his house told of her shock at the news.

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"I'm still in shock - this is a quiet Cul-de-Sac and we all know each other.

"It's so sad - we saw him going off that day on his motorbike and we waved him goodbye."

John Rees, chair of the Governing Body at Sherwood Juniour School said: “It is with deep regret that the staff, pupils, parents and the Governing Body of Sherwood Junior School have learnt of the death of our Headteacher, Mr Ian Perry.

"Ian joined our school community in January 2016 and brought an inclusive and committed approach to the management and running of our school.

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"A quiet and respectful person whose relationship with our pupils was clearly based on the principle that the focus of all school activity is our children, their hopes and their future.

"We mourn his sad passing and send our love and prayers to his family and friends.

Police issued a statement naming Ian, who is originally from Doncaster and has two daughters. Until last year he worked at a school in the Shetland Islands and was well known in the community, both as a head teacher and a musician with a band called the Bluemelts.

Derbyshire Constabulary said: "A motorcyclist who died after the bike he was riding was in collision with a parked lorry on the A38 has been named.

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"The collision happened at about 10.45am on Sunday, August 21 in a southbound lay-by between Alfreton and Ripley.

"Ian Perry, 48, of Church Warsop, Nottinghamshire, was pronounced dead at the scene."

A file has been prepared for Derbyshire Coroner's Officers with a date for inquest pending.

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