Nigel Maggs (TS, 1960-1994)

We are sorry to share the sad news that Nigel Maggs (TS, 1960-1994) recently passed away.

With thanks to Roger Priest and John Brown for their recollections.

Extract from the 1994 Tauntonian Magazine written by Roger Priest

Nigel can certainly be proud of his 102 terms at Taunton School. He came to us from Keble College, Oxford at the age of 25. From the very beginning Nigel’s academic ability was put to good use – 19 Sixth Form periods of chemistry. Outside of the classroom he took over the running of the 1st VI tennis which he continued for 12 years. Promotion to Housemaster of the newly formed Goodland came in 1966 and in 1969 John Rae appointed him to be Director of Studies.

In 1971 Nigel handed the running of Goodland over to Richard Jowett but continued with tennis and 3rd XI hockey, which he ran successfully for 15 years. At the same time, he attracted many pupils to his mind-bending sessions where they learnt to think laterally and sharpen their wits. Nigel can be justly proud of successfully guiding 100’s of students to places at Oxford and Cambridge and to many other universities and of his organisation of Sixth Form projects for 16 years before these were overtaken by the demands of A-Level coursework.

In 1987 Nigel was granted a sabbatical term which he spent at New Hall, Cambridge, where he was awarded a Schoolmaster’s Fellowship. Nigel has survived four headmasters at Taunton school which is perhaps equivalent to teaching at four different schools. During all this time he has remained a devoted teacher of chemistry, helping his pupils to achieve remarkable results with his thorough knowledge of the subject and with his meticulous planning of lessons.

I shall remember Nigel for his professionalism, his grasp of timetable implications, his knowledge of all things academic, his wry sense of humour and his friendship.

Remembered by John Brown (School Archivist)

During his three decades of retirement Nigel continued to be very active both locally and further afield, enjoying cultural tours abroad and pursuing his interests in music and theatre closer to home. Until relatively recently he gave regular talks on opera and other music which enthused him to local societies. He also volunteered at the Oxfam shop in Taunton, where he raised much money for the charity through the judicious cataloguing and sale of donated books.

In his earlier retirement years Nigel could often be encountered cycling around north Taunton as he went from one activity to another. More recently health problems curtailed his bellringing and bowling, but his mind remained sharp and he continued to play bridge at a high level and to follow the sports of tennis, hockey and cricket that he had enjoyed in his younger years.

The death of his wife Ida in 2000 was a severe blow and Nigel received good support from his family. With his children and grandchildren being OTs he retained a strong association with TS and a keen interest in all its activities and achievements. Latterly, a continuing decline in his health restricted his movements and he owed much to Jennie, his partner of more recent years, who looked after him at home until he needed more specialised care. He spent his last months at Dunkirk House where he had a pleasant room and was well cared for.

I personally have many happy memories of Nigel, whose role as organiser of external exams I inherited via Neil Mason who assumed the Director of Studies job after Nigel’s retirement in 1994. Nigel was an important figure in the School in the days when senior management was a much smaller entity. He had a thorough knowledge of university admissions procedures and all things academic. His methodical approach to his work was nevertheless tinged with a wry humour and a kindness towards those needing support. At staff meetings his capacity for solemn pronouncements on detailed and sometimes minor issues could both amuse and impress, but Nigel was always a man in full command of his brief. He was an unforgettable character who served the School well.