Howard Brayton

Howard Brayton (25-11-1938) was educated at Kingswood School, Bath, (1950-57) before working for Cadbury Bros at Bourneville, Birmingham, as an Analytical Chemist. He trained as a secondary teacher of Maths and Science at Bishop Otter College, Chichester (1960-63), and taught Maths at Westhill Boys' (secondary modern) School, Bath, (1963-70) which later became Culverhay (Comprehensive) School (1970-76) He studied on full-time secondment for his Diploma in Special Educational Needs, at Redland College, Bristol University (1971-72)

He was appointed to inaugurate and run the Assessment and Work Preparation Course for students with learning difficulties and disabilities at Trowbridge Technical College (1976-81). He moved to Oxfordshire E.A. as Adviser / Inspector for Special Needs, with a particular remit to build links between schools and colleges of further education. (1982-1995). During this time he was also acting as an inspector with Ofsted and the FEFC (Further Education Funding Council)

After a year's secondment to Oxford Brookes University (1988-89), he obtained his MEd in educational management, and was asked to set up and run OxSpec: Oxfordshire Special Needs Research Project at Oxford Brooks University, for seconded practicing teachers with a Masters qualification, undertaking classroom based research (1993-97)

As an independent Education Consultant (1995-2002) he lectured nationwide on aspects of students with learning difficulties and disabilities, with particular emphasis on supporting Teaching Assistants.

He was a communicator and writer on a wide range of subjects, but with a particular emphasis on students with special educational needs. After retiring, he still wrote articles of general interest, for his own amusement, and as requested.

He was a founder member of The Prebendal Singers (1985), an ATB choir which sings Services in cathedrals and other venues around the Country. prebendalsingers.org.uk