The obituary notice of Brian Victor Frederick HARRILD

Mr. Harrild was a fantastic teacher who gave me a great foundation for life. From reading the other tributes here, it seems many others feel the same, and that appreciation and respect has only grown with time as we all get older. He was fair, kind, and really wanted the best for his students (even when giving out stripes!) - and he helped instil a love of history in me. I remember his stationery cupboard, cricket trips, and the grace he would give at lunch. It's amazing what an influence one person can have, and I'm so grateful for what he helped build at St. Crispin's. I managed to tell him as much a few years ago (after getting his contact details from Mr. Barnett, who I luckily bumped into one day), and I'm sure he knew how much of a positive influence he had on so many others. Rest in peace, Sir.

He was a great teacher. He helped give me a love of ancient history and I found his Latin lessons so rewarding. My eldest daughter is currently doing A Level Latin and I think his influence on me filtered through to her.

I remember trips to Kessingland and the Isle of Wight. One thing that was special about these was the trust and freedom he gave us. He helped encourage responsibility and independence. He taught us really strong values and gave us an excellent basis for the next stage of our education. I will be forever grateful to have had the privilege to be taught by him and have him as my headmaster.

Robert Messer (St Crispin’s student from 1990-1995)

Part 2

Mr Harrild was a great educator and wonderful man who had a real influence on those who were lucky enough to have known him. When I first met him I got a glimpse of his skills. I was happy in my old school and hadn’t wanted to move to St Crispins. So I gave myself a terrible hair cut to stop Mr Harrild from thinking I would be a good addition to the school. I remember visiting his study and the smell of pipe smoke. He was warm and encouraging and went through the tests without skipping a beat. He just knew how to handle people and situations. Little did I realise how much I would grow to love the school and how sad I would be to leave 5 years later after being a House Captain in my last year.

He created a warm friendly environment in which the pupils felt like family. He chose excellent teachers like Mr Buckley, Mr Barnet and Miss Draycott. I appreciated the positive incentives like the Stars and Stripes system. I remember the termly trips given as a treat for good behaviour such as him taking us to The Tales of Robin Hood in Nottingham and how much fun that was. He always found a way to give people ways to contribute and feel a valued part of the school. I wasn’t very good at his beloved cricket but I was still able to go along to the matches as cricket scorer (and enjoy the cricket tea and ice creams!). This way of always providing opportunities to excel or feel appreciated was reflected in prize giving where every pupil got a hand inscribed book from him.

Part 1

Brian Harrild was an extremely kind, dedicated and supportive teacher who willingly took on his role as home tutor (Latin) with grace and a quiet determination. He will be greatly missed

Part 2:
We stood up in lessons when adults entered and waited. Lunchtimes started and ended with Grace, a moment to reflect and be thankful. These weren’t just rules; they were values. I now find myself talking and passing on some of these old values mixed in with new ones thinking about my own upbringing and Mr Harrild being a huge foundation in that.

I remember the garden tea parties and the time taken to write handwritten messages in the books we received at the end of the year. He was proud and welcomed our families into a school that was more than a school. It was a safe, caring, nurturing, funny, cheeky, home-from-home. He led the singing of our school song with such pride, “Cambridge blueeeeee and cherry red”.

Last month, I was sharing a few stories with my students during a careers lesson. (I am teaching in a British International School) I showed them a picture of St Crispin’s. I told them that the reason I am a teacher today is because of the happiness and sense of belonging I felt at that school and how this span generations. I shared photos of Mr Harrild, not knowing he would be passing so soon. They were fascinated by the stories as we spoke about finding a career that brings purpose and passion. Mr Harrild definitely found his.

I used to write to Mr Harrild with some updates and would always receive messages back. It is very sad to hear that he has passed, but his legacy lives on. He taught me so much through his actions. He had a brilliant sense of humour and, while he may have been quietly well-connected, he carried himself with humility.

Mr Harrild, thank you for being my Headmaster.

Jyoti

Part 1:

In life, you meet very few people who truly live up to the words used to describe them. Mr Harrild was one of those people. He was the OG.

I joined St Crispin’s at the end of Year 7 and left after my GCSEs in 2000. My dad and his brothers attended St Crispin’s Prep School on St Mary’s Road in Stoneygate in the 1970s, and he always spoke so fondly of Mr Harrild. It felt pretty special to follow in those footsteps, especially when the school joined with Richmond House and continued for those who didn’t want to leave after their 13+.

When St Crispin’s joined with Richmond House and accepted girls, Mr Harrild made sure we were looked after and had a voice in the school. He trusted female members of staff to ensure we had everything we needed. He led with a big heart and genuine care, and you could feel that through his staff.

He had a presence that was both commanding and kind. He led with heart, and that was reflected in his staff: Mr Barnet, Mr Buckley, Mrs Hanson, Mr Whitmore, Mr Leake, to name just a few. I remember him calling our surname across the playground as the boys played cricket, followed by the inevitable chorus of “Which one?” (my brother also attended the school) I loved that he always called us by our surnames.

I remember being taught Latin in No. 8. He wrote in his infamous turquoise ink when marking our books, and to this day I still have my Parker pen from school. He taught us to do things properly: never to cut corners, to value the basics, to write with a proper pen and real ink. Shoes polished. Jackets worn correctly. Because, as he showed us, it’s the small details people remember. I still remember how strong the house system was with the stars and stripes.

(Pt2 in next box)

A gentleman in every sense, an educator without equal, a truly great man.

Mr Harrild shaped lives, set standards, and leaves a legacy that will endure.

Respected, admired, and never to be forgotten.

May you rest in peace and rise in glory. A kind loving and forgiving soul. God bless you. Love David