Jacqueline Whitaker (OK staff 1988 - 2009)

Jacqueline Whitaker, who taught English at King’s with huge success from September 1988 until July 2009, has died after a short illness at the age of 70.

Mr Allen remembers Jacqueline:

“Jacqueline joined King’s as the first female member of the English department, then led by Derek Pembery. She quickly established a reputation for academic rigour and scrupulous dedication in her teaching: Jacqueline inspired her pupils through sharing her devoted appreciation of great literature. Her standards were notoriously high: I well remember the trepidation I would feel when Jacqueline would moderate my class’s coursework or mark their internal examinations! Her steely, penetrating stare was an understated but formidable tool in the classroom management of adolescent boys.

“Jacqueline’s sixth form classes were renowned for her passionate, learned, thoroughly prepared teaching of a wide range of texts, and especially for her illuminating teaching of Anglo-Irish and post-colonial literature, poetry and Shakespeare, including voluntary advanced teaching for all those pupils applying to read English at university, as well as generous support for students who found English a more challenging subject to study. Many former students will recall these classes with immense gratitude and affection.

“Jacqueline was also an enthusiastic theatregoer and led innumerable theatre trips for middle school and sixth form students for many years, organising them centrally for the whole department. She also headed an annual weekend study visit to Stratford for sixth form pupils where they would enjoy RSC performances, attend drama workshops, academic lectures and visit key historical sites in a truly culturally enriching school trip. Jacqueline was also a pastoral tutor and form teacher in Layton for many years, roles she performed with impeccable conscientiousness and care.”

Our thoughts and condolences are with Jacqueline’s husband and children at this sad time.