Alec Clegg
Encyclopedia
Sir Alexander Bradshaw Clegg, also known as Alec Clegg (June 13, 1909, in Long Eaton
, Derbyshire
, England
- January 20, 1986 in Yorkshire, England) became the innovative Chief Education Officer of the West Riding
of Yorkshire County Council for whom he worked from 1945 to 1974.
Clegg, the son of a Derbyshire schoolmaster, attended Long Eaton Grammar School
, Bootham School
in York
then went on to Clare College, Cambridge
, where he took a degree in modern languages. When he completed his degree he went on to the London Day Training College. He got a job at St Clement Danes' Holborn Estate Grammar School where he taught French and games between 1932 and 1937.
Between 1939 and 1945 Clegg worked for Birmingham
, Cheshire
and Worcestershire
education authorities before being appointed, in 1945, to the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer of the West Riding at the age of 34. The West Riding started on the road to becoming a pioneering and innovative authority when later that year he was appointed Chief Education Officer.
He was instrumental in founding Bretton Hall College which opened in 1949. His focus was always on children as learners.
Clegg was knighted in the birthday honours listed of June 1965.
Papers of Sir Alec Clegg are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service in Wakefield.
Long Eaton
Long Eaton is a town in Derbyshire, England. It lies just north of the River Trent about southwest of Nottingham and is part of the Nottingham Urban Area...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
- January 20, 1986 in Yorkshire, England) became the innovative Chief Education Officer of the West Riding
West Riding
West Riding could refer to:Areas:*West Riding of Yorkshire, England*West Riding of Lindsey in Lincolnshire, England*West Riding of County Cork, Ireland*West Riding of County Galway, IrelandTransport companies:*West Riding Automobile Company...
of Yorkshire County Council for whom he worked from 1945 to 1974.
Clegg, the son of a Derbyshire schoolmaster, attended Long Eaton Grammar School
The Long Eaton School
The Long Eaton School is a secondary comprehensive Academy on Thoresby Road in Long Eaton located between Nottingham and Derby.- History :...
, Bootham School
Bootham School
Bootham School is an independent Quaker boarding school in the city of York in North Yorkshire, England. It was founded by the Religious Society of Friends in 1823. It is close to York Minster. The current headmaster is Jonathan Taylor. The school's motto Membra Sumus Corporis Magni means "We...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
then went on to Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
, where he took a degree in modern languages. When he completed his degree he went on to the London Day Training College. He got a job at St Clement Danes' Holborn Estate Grammar School where he taught French and games between 1932 and 1937.
Between 1939 and 1945 Clegg worked for Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Cheshire
Cheshire
Cheshire is a ceremonial county in North West England. Cheshire's county town is the city of Chester, although its largest town is Warrington. Other major towns include Widnes, Congleton, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Macclesfield, Winsford, Northwich, and Wilmslow...
and Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
education authorities before being appointed, in 1945, to the post of Deputy Chief Education Officer of the West Riding at the age of 34. The West Riding started on the road to becoming a pioneering and innovative authority when later that year he was appointed Chief Education Officer.
He was instrumental in founding Bretton Hall College which opened in 1949. His focus was always on children as learners.
Clegg was knighted in the birthday honours listed of June 1965.
Papers of Sir Alec Clegg are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service in Wakefield.