February 18, 2016 3.40 pm This story is over 109 months old

Tributes paid to Lincoln headteacher who inspired pioneering deaf unit

Widely missed: Tributes have been paid to a former Lincoln headteacher whose dedication helped hundreds of deaf children in Lincolnshire.

Tributes have been paid to a former Lincoln headteacher whose dedication helped hundreds of deaf children in Lincolnshire.

Julia Baynham, who has died at the age of 77, was instrumental in setting up the deaf unit at the old Ermine Infant School on Thoresway Drive in Lincoln.

She taught three to seven-year-olds at the school between 1975 and 1995 and fought passionately for deaf children’s inclusion in mainstream education.

Julia, a long-time resident of Heighington, lived more recently in Lincoln city centre and was a keen fundraiser for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Julia Baynham, on her 70th birthday

Julia Baynham, on her 70th birthday

Ermine Infant School Deputy Head, Bette Larder, said: “Julia had so much to give, and without her, the children she taught would not have been able to achieve and go on to do what they did.”

Anne Kent, a former colleague said: “Julia had style and her inspiration made learning interesting and an adventure and, most of all, fun.”

Jamie McMahon, Regional Director at The National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We’d love to thank Mrs Baynham’s family for the amazing work she did for deaf children and for the charity.

“She has made a huge difference to the futures of many deaf children having taught several to speak and lip read.

“She’s a truly remarkable woman who’ll be widely missed.”

Former pupils, friends and colleagues are invited to a Thanksgiving Service at 2.30pm on Monday, February 22, at Lincoln Cathedral.

Donations will go to the National Deaf Children’s Society and to the Alzheimer’s Society.