Maureen Hattey Obituary: A 78-year-old special needs educator, Maureen Hattey passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Maureen Hattey Obituary
Maureen Hattey, a dedicated advocate and progressive educator for children with special needs, has died at the age of 78. Throughout her career, Maureen has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between schools and the community, leaving a lasting impact on the field of special education.
Maureen’s journey began as a mainstream primary school teacher. However, in 1979 she began a new chapter by joining the Child Development Center at Charing Cross Hospital. There she had the privilege of working with Dr. Hugh Jolly, a pioneering pediatrician who introduced her to a revolutionary approach to supporting children with developmental disabilities.
This approach focuses on listening and working closely with children and their parents, tailoring treatment and care to meet their individual needs. This experience proved transformative and revolutionary for Maureen at the time. Inspired by Dr Jolly’s innovative methods, Maureen brought the same ethos and passion to her work at Ridgeway Community School in Farnham, Surrey. Ridgeway was a school for students aged two to 19 with severe and profound multiple learning disabilities.
In 1989, Maureen took on the role of Senior Teacher, specializing in Creative and Performing Arts. Her dedication and expertise led her to become Head of School in 1997. Maureen’s primary goal at Ridgeway was to ensure that her students had access to a comprehensive range of opportunities comparable to those of their peers in mainstream education. She believed in the power of the creative and performing arts in unleashing the potential of her students and bringing the community closer to the school.
To achieve this, Maureen introduced a number of initiatives that integrated Ridgeway with the local community. One of her most significant contributions was the establishment of “creative arts week,” during which Ridgeway students collaborated with their mainstream school peers to put on plays and showcase their talents.
During her tenure at Ridgeway, Maureen faced significant challenges inherited from the past, as highlighted by the Ofsted inspection. However, she fearlessly led a transformation program which served as a testing ground for the new approach to special needs education championed by the Labor government at the time.
In addition to improving facilities, Maureen pioneered collaboration between Ridgeway and other educational institutions in the local area. These initiatives included moving the school’s kindergarten to a regular environment and integrating older students into the local sixth form. Despite the obstacles, Maureen’s outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment saw Ridgeway out of special measures in just 18 months.
Born in Oxford to Sybil (née Benbow) and Norman Langford, both accounting and conveyancing professionals, Maureen’s academic journey included attending Barnet Secondary Modern School in North West London and continuing her studies at Hatfield Technical College (now known as the University of Hertfordshire). She continued her education by attending teacher training at Southlands College, Wimbledon, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1978.
Maureen’s passion for continuous learning led her to complete an MA in Education at the Open University in 1993. In 2005, Maureen decided to retire from her role at Ridgeway, marking the end of a remarkable career that has positively impacted the lives of countless students and their families. In retirement, she started traveling with her partner, Will Warner, a builder with whom she shared a long association. Sadly, Will passed away in 2015, leaving behind fond memories.
Maureen’s legacy lives on through her children, Nicola, Ross and you, as well as her grandchildren, Ella, Louis, Jools, Sophia and Noel. Her dedication to advocating for the rights and inclusion of children with special needs, her pioneering efforts in bridging the gap between schools and communities, and her unwavering commitment to providing equal opportunities for all students will continue to inspire and shape the field of special education for years to come. Maureen Hattey’s profound impact on the lives of those she touched will always be remembered and cherished.
How did Maureen Hattey die?
On May 23, 2023, Maureen Hattey, age 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Although the specific circumstances of Maureen Hattey’s death were not disclosed in the information provided, it is mentioned that her passing occurred without suffering or disturbance. And so far, there is no exact reason for Maureen Hattey’s death.
What happened to Maureen Hattey?
Maureen Hattey passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family and friends, on May 23, 2023, at the age of 78. Specific details about what happened to Maureen Hattey were not provided in the previous information. The given information says that she died peacefully, but they do not state the cause of her death.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education