Tributes after death of Middlesbrough former headteacher who inspired thousands with his teaching and guitar playing

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a former special school headteacher who was also a hugely talented rock guitarist.

John Whittingham, who has died, aged 64, spent 32 years at Middlesbrough’s Tollesby School, including 19 as headteacher.

During his time in charge, the school, and its pupils, flourished, earning Tollesby exceptional Ofsted reports and an invitation for John to meet the Queen in an event recognising teachers’ exceptional achievements.

But in his spare time, music was his first love - and he when he played his guitar, he rocked.

From the 1960s onwards, his skilfully passionate playing made him an invaluable member of various North-east bands, starting with The Down and Outs in 1965 and progressing to The Elastic Band, Cycle, Desperado and, since 1994, Raised On Rusks.

But perhaps it’s his time with Cycle when John was most in his element, the band supporting the likes of Joe Cocker, Mott the Hoople, Van der Graaf Generator and Atomic Rooster at the famous Redcar Jazz Club nights.

And after Desperado backed Canadian duo Bill and Su-An Hillman on their track Lady Luck - a track written by John - he even received a royalty cheque from Canada for the grand total of 22p!

Middlesbrough born and bred, John was educated at Stainsby School before going on to teacher training at Teesside Polytechnic and a philosophy degree at Newcastle. His first teaching job was at the old St Thomas’s RC School before he moved, as an art teacher, to Tollesby, where he stayed until his retirement in 2006.

His first deputy, Dick Stokoe, said: “He cared passionately about the kids and the staff.

“He gained a bit of a reputation in the authority because if he thought a meeting wasn’t of benefit to the school, he’d leave, saying ‘I’m better off back with the kids.’

“But he was all things to all people - he could inspire a kid who had severe difficulties and he could talk to the Queen.

“With the kids, he changed so many lives and with the music, he enriched so many lives.”

He met his wife, Catherine, while playing a Cycle gig at Thornley Club in County Durham. They married in 1974 and had two sons, Paul, now 37, and James 33. The couple have three granddaughters - Lucy, Emily and Grace.

As well as music, he also enjoyed family holidays, fishing - he took some pupils fishing in Faceby on his last day at Tollesby - tending his allotment, going to the gym and football (he was a Boro season ticket holder).

An inquest will be held into his death after he was found collapsed at the bottom of stairs at his Linthorpe home on January 23. But for now, family and friends are finding comfort in remembering the devoted family man, talented musician, loyal friend with a wickedly dry sense of humour and inspirational headteacher.

Catherine, 63, said: “Sometimes, we were more like brother and sister in the way we knew what each other was thinking.”

And his old bandmates are predicting quite a turnout of musicians for his funeral on Monday at 11am at Teesside Crematorium. Donations in lieu, if desired, will be to the Zoe’s Place baby hospice.