8 November 2022
Steven Crowther
It is with great sadness that we must report the death, after a short illness, of former Director of Technology at Kirkham Grammar School, Steve Crowther.
Steve was a big part of the School’s development and progress either side of the new millennium, and he leaves behind a very real legacy from his time at the School, which he joined in 1996, when he was appointed as the first overall Director of Technology.
He was in right at the start of the major redevelopment and rebranding of Technology at KGS, as the ICT and internet revolution of the 1990s took hold. He was appointed as Director of Technology before the new building was built, and played a key role in overseeing the detail of its design, construction and kitting out.
It was under his leadership that ICT first became not just a subject in itself, but a fundamental part of literally everything that happens in school. He managed the introduction of internet access for the School and facilitated the transfer of every aspect of school administration to an ICT-based system. It is remarkable to reflect that this was only 25 years ago.
That he was able to initiate and oversee such fundamental change in how things are done, yet remain so popular with both colleagues and students speaks volumes for his genial no-nonsense approach. He is remembered with great affection as an inspirational teacher, with a can-do attitude which readily rubbed off on students and colleagues. His lessons were full of humour yet business-like and productive.
Steve was also an enthusiastic Preston Housemaster for a while - immortalised when he sang "Masters of the House" at the 1998 Spring Concert with fellow Housemasters Arthur Baines, Paul Smith and Ian Scott, an event which was recorded for posterity in a wonderful painting by former art teacher, Simon Painter. The painting still hangs in the staff room (see image below right).
After stepping down from his post in 2003, Steve worked as a freelance consultant in technology education, but he was increasingly drawn into creative art, and he had become a popular painter of scenes and landmarks in his home area of East Lancashire.
Steve (pictured below left with Ian Scott) was joined at KGS by his daughter Emma from 1998 until 2003, and we send our condolences to her, Emma’s husband Ian Duncan (also KGS 1998-2003) and to Steve’s wife Joanne.