The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust are sad to announce the death of Mr Nigel Pickard, Head of School of the Ransom Road site of the Nottingham Academy.  Mr Pickard, who was 45 years old, had been ill for some weeks and died unexpectedly at his home last week.

Mr Pickard was an outstanding Headteacher, an inspirational teacher and a thoroughly nice man. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He started teaching at Ilkeston School in Derbyshire in the early 1990s and rose to be Head of English. He then moved to Haddon Park School where he became a Deputy Headteacher. He then moved to the Nottingham Academy and was appointed as Head of School of the Ransom Road site in the summer of 2011.

He was a published author, a keen follower of cricket and had a passion for life. He loved his work as a Head of School and was looking forward to managing the new buildings, just completed, on his site.

He leaves behind two children, Lily (15) and Jake (18) and a partner, Jane.

Barry Day, Chief Executive of the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust said ‘The death of Nigel has been a huge shock to us all. He was a larger than life figure who was respected by both staff and pupils alike. He will be sadly missed'.

Jacqueline Simpson, Executive Principal, said 'The quality that people will remember him for most is his approachability - both staff and pupils thought a lot of him and he had a fantastic relationship with the pupils.'