In memory of Mrs Beaumont - Written by David Evans

We are sad to report the passing of our dear friend and a most loyal supporter of King’s over many decades.  Anne Beaumont died, aged 96, on 12th June.

Anne joined King’s Junior School in 1951 as Miss Lindfield and soon met her future husband, Classics master, Henry, who joined the school in the same year.  Together, they committed their whole teaching careers to King’s and took on a pivotal role in the development of the school.

The 1950s were a particularly exciting time at King’s as the school expanded and established strong foundations under the headship of Tom Brown.  Anne and Henry were at the centre of this progress.  From 1957 until 1978 they ran the new boarding house in Dulverton, providing a nurturing and homely atmosphere much valued by many boys whose actual homes were often far away.

In the Junior School classroom Anne also sought to bring out the very best in her pupils.  She was trained in Froebel principles, which stressed the benefits of encouraging the spontaneous growth of young children through creative play, social interaction and natural expression. Throughout her long career, Anne was well known as one of the kindest and most committed teachers it was possible to meet.  She was a real favourite.

Upon retirement from King’s in 1988, Anne and Henry retired to St Davids in Pembrokeshire.  They busily involved themselves in a range of voluntary work there, and this was recognised in 2009 when both received the MBE for service to the community.

There will be a memorial service to give thanks for Anne’s life in St Davids Cathedral on 13th September.  We pass on our condolences to Anne’s son and daughter, Charlie and Elisabeth, who were themselves pupils at King’s in the 1960s and 1970s.