My friend and colleague Bryan Nicholson, who has died aged 79, was one of the founding fathers of school technology. Many design and technology teachers will remember him as an inspirational, influential and highly respected adviser, inspector and university lecturer. He was a man of great integrity.
Born in Tottenham, north London, Bryan decided that he would not go into the family bookbinding business, and embarked on an engineering apprenticeship with the electrical manufacturers Sangamo Weston in Enfield, Middlesex. After completing national service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he returned to Sangamo Weston as a draughtsman and planning supervisor. Having been inspired by his uncle, who was a teacher, Bryan enrolled on a teacher training course at Trent Park College (now part of Middlesex University).
In 1960, Bryan joined the staff of St Audrey's secondary school, Hatfield, as a metalwork teacher. After several years as head of department, he was appointed Hertfordshire's first advisory teacher for design and technology, producing curriculum materials and helping teachers establish best practice in the classroom. Bryan continued his own professional development, studying for a BSc in sociology. He was an advisory teacher with great vision who inspired other teachers to develop technology teaching materials and examination courses. In 1973, he was appointed senior adviser for design and technology in the London borough of Hillingdon.
Bryan was appointed staff inspector for design and technology for the Inner London Education Authority (Ilea) in 1980. He led a team of inspectors and advisory teachers in very challenging times, when design and technology was becoming established as a national curriculum subject. After the abolition of Ilea, Bryan spent a term at the "chalk-face", teaching at the Grey Coat Hospital school for girls. In 1990, he was appointed professional studies tutor for the BA, BSc and PGCE courses in design and technology at Brunel University.
Following his retirement in 1996, Bryan enjoyed gardening and it was no surprise that he won awards for his dahlias at local garden shows. In 2003, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which he faced with his usual determination and good humour. He eventually succumbed to advancing bone cancer.
Bryan is survived by Anthea, his wife of 55 years, and by his sons Howard and Jeremy.