Former Black Country art teacher killed in car crash
Saturday 18th December 2010, 10:15AM GMT.
A former art teacher from the Black Country was killed in a road smash which left his car embedded underneath a lorry.
Ian Preston, aged 39, was driving his Ford Focus when it collided with a parked lorry on Thursday.
He was head of art at St Francis of Assisi School in Aldridge for six years and was said to be an “inspiration” to students.
He left in January to take up a teaching advisory role in Walsall but maintained close links with the school.
News of his death was broken to the children at the school yesterday, and tributes left at the scene of the crash in Chester Road, Erdington, described him as an inspiration.
Philomena Mullins, the head teacher of the Erdington Road school, said todlay that the pupils, aged between 11 and 18, were “devastated” by the news.
She said: “Yesterday was a very hard day. There are pieces of art inspired by Ian in the school. Every visitor has commented on them.
“We opened up the chapel yesterday and a lot of kids came to me for comfort.”
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Rest In Peace. Me, Jack and Hannah left a tribute at the crash sight yesterday.
He was an inspiration to everyone.
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Ian was my first tutor during secondary school at CTC Kingshurst. A genuinely nice man who was capable of turning even the most boring of lessons into a laugh.
He was able to connect with the kids on a different level to other teachers, could pick up on tensions within the class and defuse them immediately.
He was loud, eccentric, witty and always in a good mood, when the old form meet up now he’s still a hot topic of conversation!
He gave us all alot of good memories in our journey through childhood into the teenage years, and we were all pretty gutted when he left us at the start of Key Stage 4.
My thoughts are with his family. Rest In Peace, Ian.
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Ian taught me art from year 10 upwards whilst I was at the CTC Kinshurst. His death came as a tragic shock.
He was happy and eccentric and inspirational. He challenged you in your studies and I could have throttled him sometimes but thats why everyone loved him!
I’ll never forget his passion for HR Giger and that he intoduced me to Munch who influenced many of my paintings.
Rest in peace Ian – its fair to say you have not left this world untouched by your mind and soul, you will be missed by many x x x
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Hi leigh, Mr Preston was an Inpiration to all the people he touch, your comment touched me the most as it encapsulated the very eccense of the person he was. I both laughed and cried at your comment, he has left a big hole.
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Ian you were always a fun guy RIP.
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He was just a big kid We loved him and we wound eachother up so much.
He was an inpirational artist and was so creative and talented.
But most of all, he was such a lovely human being, he had the kindest of hearts.
We’ll miss you Mr. Preston
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Ian was also my first tutor at secondary school (CTC Kingshurst). He was by no means your average teacher and thats what made him so special. He always had a smile on his face and he made the first years of secondary school so exciting and different. He always encouaged our class to be different, be individual even if it wasn’t the norm.I will always remember the day he told us he was moving on to another school, alot of us cried and we were all so sad as he had made such an impact on our young lives, now almost 8 or so years later i still believe he shaped us into the people we are today. He will be so sadly missed but i am so proud to have known such an incredible man.
Rest in Peace Mr Preston, you are with the angels now x x x x x
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Mr.Preston taught me Art GCSE at Cradley High 6/7 years ago. He was one of the best teachers, pushed us to do our best, helped us and there are many fond memories.
If it wasn’t for him I feel I wouldn’t be studying the degree I am now.
My deepest sympathy goes out to his family, friends and students.
Rest In Peace
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I can’t believe he is gone. But what he left behind is a legacy and will never be forgotten.
Rest in Peace.
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He was my form tutor from yr7 to yr 11 at St.Francis and i can not say a bad word about him. He was always there for me and everyone in my form, he called us his little monsters. He wasn’t just a teacher to us but a friend. We have always had great respect for. He will be sadly missed by so many people.He has made me the person i am today,a confident bubbly person, and he would always push us to reach our goals and he never gave up on us.
We will miss you so much R.I.P Mr Preston
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He was my form tutor from yr7 to yr 11 at St.Francis and i can not say a bad word about him. He was always there for me and everyone in my form, he called us his little monsters. He wasn’t just a teacher to us but a friend. We always had great respect for him. He will be sadly missed by so many people.He has made me the person i am today,a confident bubbly person, and he would always push us to reach our goals,and he never gave up on us.
We will miss you so much R.I.P Mr Preston
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I knew Ian as a parent of one of his CTC pupils – a really nice man who understood his pupils, and a very good teacher. Am very very sorry to hear this tragic news. RIP
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a lovely man who respected all and treated everyone with eqaulity, prayers to his mother.
you will be truly missed by all who knew you.
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Absolute legend! The only teacher i can really call inspirational. I will always remember you.
Rest In Peace.
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