'She was in a league of her own': Tributes to Harborough history teacher who has died aged 69
A history teacher who taught in both of Market Harborough’s high schools has died at the age of 69.
Kim Cottrell became the head of humanities at Robert Smyth School in 1993, before becoming the deputy head at Welland Park Academy - playing a major role in the school getting ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted ratings.
Kim died suddenly on August 4 after a stroke and cardiac arrest.
She was born in Coventry and studied at the University of Leeds to become a teacher. Kim taught in her hometown in the late 1970s and early 1980s; while teaching full-time she also gained an MA from Warwick University. Then, after a promotion in North Staffordshire, she relocated to Naseby, where she lived with her husband.
Michael and Kim had been together for 40 years, and married for 36 of those.
Michael described her as a real gem and the “heart and soul” of his life.
While the couple did not have their own children, Michael explained: “She always said she’d had plenty of children pass through her hands over the years.”
At Robert Smyth, she had around 50 A-level history pupils in her first year and achieved a 100 per cent pass rate.
Kim was instrumental in helping students reach university, equipping them with the skills needed for higher education.
Michael said: “She got a lot of people to university. She was outstanding in her field as far as that was concerned.
“The teachers at the universities were very impressed that her former students were already able to write a good essay and a good piece of work for the university.
"They were already ahead of the game and could make a great start to their academic life.”
During her time at Welland Park Academy, Kim worked particularly on data and the curriculum key areas for Ofsted scrutiny; and they were given an Outstanding award.
The school was chosen then to pilot the new-style, unannounced Ofsted inspections - and was awarded another Outstanding rating.
Michael said: “They were so successful at Ofsted that they elected Welland Park to become one of the pilot schools for the new Ofsted, where they just turned up out of the blue.
“And of course, Kim was ready for them along with the wonderful teaching staff.
“Every time I drive… past the school, and I see the outstanding Ofsted slogans on the outside wall of the school, I always think of that.”
Before she retired, one of her duties was to be one of the judges in the ‘Future Chef’ competition. She came home with some stories of Year 9 students excelling at cooking, one of Kim’s favourite pastimes.
She retired in 2016, at the age of 60, to look after her husband who had fallen ill a couple of months before.
Michael said: “She was quite serious-minded, but it all came from her deep sense of duty and commitment.
"Friends and former colleagues have been in touch saying she was a lovely, kind and private lady; that she had a lovely calm manner and voice and that she had many sides to her character, she could be so serious and responsible but also quietly cheeky and playful being tough and sensitive at the same time.
“She shared the same commitment that she did in education with her friendships and her family, and to me. She was totally committed.
“She would never think twice about not caring.”
Her funeral is planned for September 14 at noon, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Coventry.