On Thursday 2nd December Melvin Palmer sadly passed away.

Melvin was a passionate educator and had a unique impact on staff, students and colleagues across secondary and higher education in a long and storied career. He was loved and respected as a consummate professional, charismatic and exceptional teacher, leader and a warm and generous human being. He leaves behind family and a great many friends.

Melvin's contribution to education is entirely unique. Melvin was a student at Thrybergh comprehensive school in Rotherham before attending Leeds Carnegie. After finishing University he taught P.E. at Wingfield School, then returned to Thrybergh as the head of the P.E department before going on to become Head of School. Melvin taught at Thrybergh for 34 years, when he left in 2014 Melvin became Course Leader and Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, where he continued to train the next generation of teachers.

His character is woven in thousands of trainee teachers and staff who he trained, led and developed. He encountered many changes over his long years of service, providing a constant in an ever-changing educational landscape. His legacy is unrivalled and his mark will be left on generations to come.

This page has been set up to collect donations in his memory with the hope that the research it funds will prevent other remarkable characters, like Melvin, from being taken too soon.

Mr Palmer - thank you for everything