Tributes paid to ex-head Arthur, 87

A head fondly remembered by generations of Staffordshire pupils has died at the age of 87.

Arthur Hampton, of Dartmouth Road, spent almost 20 years as head of the former Walhouse Junior School – now St Luke's Primary – in New Penkridge Road, Cannock, from 1963 to 1982.

A former head at Landywood Junior and deputy at Great Wyrley Junior, was known by pupils for his fairness and understanding, as well as his ready supply of Fox's glacier mints.

Arthur's son, Andrew Hampton, said: "If a pupil had done well he'd call them in and they'd get praise and a mint. When he was walking down the corridors he would point out a child and give them a sum – if they got it right they got a sweet."

Andrew said that his father was a great believer in the power of education, having himself won a scholarship to Rugeley Grammar School.

"He believed in unlocking potential at all levels," Andrew added, "It wasn't just a case of focusing on the children who were natural high flyers, he wanted to encourage progress and achievement in pupils who struggled."

And it wasn't only his young charges who received a helping hand from Mr Hampton over the years – his role with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) saw him providing support to teachers from all over the county.

The former Naval officer – father to Andrew, David and Julia – was secretary of the Staffordshire branch of the NUT, as well as president of the Cannock Chase branch. Andrew said: "He was always there for them, he never took his telephone number out of the phone book and I can remember teachers ringing to ask his advice."

A stalwart of the community in Cannock, Mr Hampton served as a councillor from 1953 until 1956, was secretary of the local branches of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and the Church of England Children's Society, and secretary of the parochial church council at St Luke's.

His wife Dorothy said that her late husband's life had been shaped by helping others.

She said: "Even when he was in the Navy, the young lads of 18 would come to him and ask him to help them write letters home to their sweethearts. He would do anything for anybody. Arthur was a wonderful man."

Mr Hampton died peacefully on Saturday April 5 after a long illness.

A funeral service will be held at Stafford Crematorium on Tuesday April 22 at 3pm. The family has requested that any donations go to the NSPCC or Royal National Lifeboat Institute.