Tributes are flooding in for an "inspirational" Bristol schools boss following his sudden death. Dave Baker, the chief executive of the Olympus Academy Trust, was just 61.
Mr Baker was remembered as a larger-than-life figure, who was well-known in the education and charity sectors in the West of England.
He established Olympus in 2012, with its inaugural school, Bradley Stoke Community School, which he had been pivotal in planning and launching as its founding headteacher in 2005.
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Before becoming a school leader, he had taught several different languages, chiefly French and German across various schools in Bristol and the surrounding region, reports .
Under his stewardship, Olympus now oversees the education of more than 6,500 pupils and employs approximately 800 staff members.
Beyond education, Mr Baker served as chair of the Bristol City Robins Foundation and officiated as a referee for the West of England Basketball Association.
His brother Jonny revealed he had passed away last week after suffering a heart attack.
"We always said he was born to be a headmaster and sure enough he went on to teach and become head of not one but multiple schools as CEO of Olympus Academy Trust in Bristol," he said.
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"He was an amazing networker and stayed in touch with so many people – we used to joke about the ridiculous size of his Christmas card list."
He added: "He loved and played basketball, loved the ocean and surfing, loved doing sudokus! He was super dependable, organised everything and everyone, was very caring, a great leader, brother to me, uncle to my lads. We are so sorry to lose him what feels like so early – he was 61."
Mr Baker occupied various positions across the education sector and collaborated with the Department for Education to assist fellow education leaders regionally and nationally.
He served as a national policy adviser for the Confederation of Schools Trusts, chair of the board for the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, and vice-chair of the South Gloucestershire Schools Forum. He held membership with the Venturers Trust and provided guidance to the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust.
'You were an icon of strength'
Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, remembered how Mr Baker had employed his playful nature to tremendous advantage.
In her tribute, she stated: "Dave, you were an icon of strength and goodness and courage. You touched so many lives and you used your life force to bring about good in the world. You helped so many, including me, in times of aloneness or darkness.
"At two metres tall, you were larger than life – with your bow ties and boldness.
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"You showed the children in your trust how to maintain a safe distance during Covid by lying flat in the corridors of your schools.
"I loved your sense of fun, humour, and infinite possibility."
Olympus operates Bradley Stoke Community School, Charborough Road Primary, Callicroft Primary Academy, Filton Hill Primary, Meadowbrook Primary, Stoke Lodge Primary, Abbeywood Community School, Patchway Community School, and Winterbourne Academy. The trust will also oversee Lyde Green Community School upon its opening next year.
Sarah Williams, chair of the trust's board, said: "Dave was a remarkable and inspirational leader whose unwavering commitment and passion shaped Olympus into what it is today.
"He guided us through transformative growth, championed collaboration and had a commitment to making a meaningful difference. Whether in the boardroom or walking the halls in our schools, he led with vision and a contagious passion.
"He never missed a chance to celebrate successes or offer a word of encouragement to learners and staff alike. His legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.
"There will be time for us to celebrate and honour his professional life, and in the meantime, our thoughts and condolences are with Dave's family and loved ones, and I respectfully ask that they are given the space to grieve and mourn their loss."
Lucy Livings, regional director for the Department for Education, said: "Dave was a very special person – one of a kind – and will be greatly missed by me and my team.
"Dave has given so much to the education system across the South West, well beyond his schools and trust, and leaves a legacy of system partnership that I, and I know many others across the South West, are indebted to him for."