Gordon Smith

Gordon developed a love of sport, mainly rugby and hockey, the latter becoming his first love. Playing both sports for The King’s School first teams, before the Lincolnshire County Hockey team, and then on to Loughborough Hockey firsts. During his National Service, Gordon played hockey in Cyprus for the Middle East Air Force.

After returning to the UK when his National Service completed Gordon attended Loughborough Colleges training as a teacher between 1959 and 1961.

While here he met his wife to be, Margaret, in 1959 at a dance in Scraptoft, where she was also training to be a teacher. The two married in July 1964, and in September of the same year Gordon returned to Loughborough to complete further studies in PE & History. During his studies he was in touch with Peterborough Education Department. Feeding back the latest information on Sports Hall design, he had a hand in the construction of Eastholme School’s new sports hall.

While teaching at Eastholme School he helped run athletics events across the city, co-operating with Peter Canard at The King’s School. The All-England Athletics competition the two managed in 1966 was a real highlight.

As his career progressed, Gordon moved from secondary to primary education, becoming deputy head at Fulbridge Primary School. Taking up the headship a few years later. He dedicated the remaining years of his career to Fulbridge, retiring in July 2000. Joining the local education authority’s Appeals Panel straight away, Gordon maintained a link with Peterborough City’s schools well into his retirement.

A life well spent in the service of education and helping establish a firm foundation upon which the young people of Peterborough could build the rest of their lives.