Martin Weaver

Martin Weaver
Martin Weaver
Born	c1949
Died	23 February 2021 (aged 72)
Education	University of Oxford (double first)
Years at BGS	2004-2014
Departments	Science
Subjects	Biology, Citizenship
Spouse	Miki Carmichael
Children	Rachel
Parents	Tudor Weaver, Joan
Relatives	Robert Weaver (brother), Graham Weaver (brother)

Martin Weaver was a teacher of Biology at Boston Grammar School (2004-2014).

He gained a double fist at the University of Oxford. Before arriving at BGS he had retired from a post at Highgate School.

Obituary

Martin Weaver

Written by former colleague Tim Atkinson and published on The Guardian website

Martin Weaver, who has died of cancer aged 72, arrived at Boston Grammar School (where I worked) in 2004 to fill a sudden vacancy. Within a week of arriving we were in the throes of a difficult OFSTED inspection which yielded just two "outstanding" lesson observations. His was one of them.

He was a remarkable polymath of a man. Martin was interested, curious, inquiring and inquisitive of everything and everyone around him. At school, his attitude to troublesome students was always to ask "What more can I do? What else can I try?" Martin's default position seemed always to look to himself for a solution to a problem, irrespective of where blame might actually lie. It was a quality that endeared him to so many. Former students spoke of him as "an inspiration", "a legend," "an amazing teacher," and "engaging, knowledgable and above all kind."

Martin was born in Croydon, south London, to Joan and Tudor Weaver. His father worked for Croydon council while his mother devoted her time to looking after Martin and his two younger brothers, Robert and Graham. He attended Whitgift School, then Oxford University, where he took a double first in biochemistry. From 1975 he taught at Highgate School, in north London, latterly as head of department, and it was there that Martin met Miki Carmichael, who was working at the school as a lab technician while studying for her degree in biological sciences. They married in 1980.

Martin's many talents were not confined to the classroom. He played French horn in the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra and sang tenor in the choir of St Botolph's, Boston (AKA Boston Stump), occasionally even acting as musical director when required. He was a knowledgeable and experienced guide at the local RSPB reserve as well as an active member of the Fenland branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA.

But his unorthodox appearance also marked Martin out as special. Long hair, beard, and wearing sandals in all weathers (and almost all terrains, including the salt marshes of RSPB Freiston Shore) he defied all expectations except, perhaps, those of the head of biology, Ian Graham, whose department at the grammar school Martin joined at such short notice. "We needed a miracle," he said, "and in walked Jesus!"

Martin is survived by Miki, their daughter, Rachel, and granddaughter, Eleanor, and by his brothers.

Some of the many tributes posted to Facebook following his death

"a multi-talented colleague"

by Richard Anderson

Martin was a multi-talented colleague who always entertained and amused us with his quirky and wide-ranging discussions on the teachers' lunch table in the dining room which covered anything from French/German literature to the life cycle of a greenfly.

"educational iconoclast"

by Ian Graham

I was the Head of Biology at BGS when Martin's predecessor walked out after one week as a Biology teacher. I posted a plea on an internet forum of Biology teachers asking for anyone to apply for the job. Martin phoned the next day, commenting that he had recently retired from Highgate School in London and would like to be considered - but warning us that he was "unconventional"! He started a few days later and slid into the job as if he had been there for years. Martin was, by far, the best biologist / science teacher I had ever worked with. We shared a passion for teaching "old-school", often discussing how best to ignore the OFSTED prescriptive teaching model and get away with it during our regular departmental meetings in the Moon on Friday afternoons. A multi-talented man of immense intellect, and a true master of teaching, he will be sorely missed. OK, Martin Weaver - educational iconoclast, bon viveur and all round good bloke.

"a true legend"

Harry Parkhill's final year journalism documentary featuring Martin Weaver as Galileo Galilei

by Harry Parkhill

Mr Weaver was a true legend and traditional gentleman. He took over my science classes in Year 7 after the first term and was incredibly inspiring and a fascinating character. He helped advise me in my career which led to a job at the Telegraph, but he also was up for a laugh.

He even helped me making my final year documentary for my Journalism by appearing as Galileo Galilei. I could think of no one better to represent one of the greatest thinkers of the modern world than one of the most intelligent teachers I've ever had (and the beard and hair helped!). He'll be fondly remembered.

See Also

• Boston Grammar School Staff