Tributes continue to pour in from across Barking and Dagenham on the passing of Roger Luxton, a well-loved education chief who also served as the borough’s first ever Director of Children’s Services as well as a deputy chief executive.

Roger served the council throughout the 1990s until his retirement in 2009. He was intensely involved in the development of Jo Richardson Community School – designed from the inside out starting with the classroom, and the creation of Trinity School.

In 1999, he was recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours and was awarded an OBE for services to education standards, and after his retirement, Roger was awarded the  Freedom of the Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement, said: “Roger led a step change in the council’s expectations and ambitions for its children and young people. It was in the role of Principal Adviser that he made perhaps the greatest contribution to primary education, challenging some traditional practices of teaching in England which were not serving the children at Barking and Dagenham.

“Roger believed absolutely and fundamentally that a strong and enduring partnership between the council and schools is, and continues to be, the best way to support opportunity, ambition and achievement for all the children and young people who live and go to school here. His legacy is that Barking and Dagenham has continued its commitment to that partnership.

“He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family.”

Former Council Leader, Alderman Charles Fairbrass, added: “During my years as Chairman of the Education Committee I had the privilege of working with two outstanding chief officers,  Roger Luxton was one of those. His devotion for the young people and staff in education was outstanding.”