Elizabeth Hutchinson obituary

My mother, Elizabeth Hutchinson, who has died aged 78, was an inspiration to many, a force for good in her local community, and was a pioneering teacher in comprehensive education.

Born in Kirkby, Liverpool, she was the daughter of Frank and Annie Irlam. Her dad was headteacher at the local primary school and both Elizabeth and her brother, William, went on to be teachers at the local comprehensive school, Ruffwood. She taught English and by her early 30s was already deputy head at Ruffwood, then the largest comprehensive in Britain.