John Rae (educator)

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John Rae (20 March 1931-16 December 2006) was a British novelist, writer and educator. He was headmaster of Taunton School (1966-1970) and Head Master of Westminster School (1970-1986).

[edit] Westminster School

He became Head Master of Westminster School in 1970. During his time there he became a prominent and oft-heard voice on educational questions in the British print and broadcast media, known as a singular and distinctive figure by the precedents of public school education of the time. It was under his Head Mastership that girls first became full-time members of the school, in 1973. In 1976 a new day house, Dryden's, was created. It is located next to Wren's and under College, just off Little Dean's Yard. In 1981 to cope with the increased numbers of girls a new boarding house, Purcell's, was opened. It is still located about 20m from Little Dean's Yard. In the same year a new building was bought for the Under School - Adrian House in Vincent Square.

[edit] Works

Rae was a prolific writer on education, his works including Letters to Parents, The Public School Revolution, and a professional autobiography, Delusions of Grandeur. His 1961 novel, The Custard Boys, shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rees Memorial Prize, was adapted to make the 1962 film Reach for Glory, which won a United Nations Award, and again for the 1979 film under the novel's original name. In 1983, he assisted Roland Joffe in the production of the film The Killing Fields, and in 1986 he became head of the Laura Ashley Foundation. He was on the board of The Observer newspaper from 1986 to 1993, and in 1989 became executive chairman of the Portman Group, which advocates responsible drinking.