Don West

He was the driving force behind the establishment of the latter as a successful comprehensive school during the 1970s and 80s, having taken over when it was newly built in 1974.

This was at a time when the comprehensive was relatively new in Dorset, and Mr West had to reconcile the needs of former students of both his former school and the nearby grammar school in Swanage which closed in 1974, as well as the expectations of their parents.

However, armed with a strong will, a sense of fairness and a determination to see his new school get up and running, Mr West was regarded by many of his colleagues as just the man for the job.

One such was history teacher Tim Broad, who still teaches sociology at Purbeck.

He was one of 14 new teachers who Mr West brought to the fledgling school at the same time and inspired by his example.

“He built the school up from a building site to a successful 1,100 pupil school,” he said.

“He provided firm leadership and was very good at getting his way, and he had to be as it wasn’t an easy ride.

“Not everybody was in favour of the comprehensive system, and many people in Swanage were very disappointed to lose the grammar school. He needed to be a diplomat.

“I have very fond memories of him. He wanted to create the best possible school for everyone.

“I saw him not long ago and he hadn’t changed, he was still Mr West to me.”

One thing he did insist on was that Purbeck would be a rugby school, carrying on the tradition of its grammar school antecedent, and Mr West was himself an enthusiast for the sport.

On leaving Purbeck School in 1984, Mr West devoted much of his time to voluntary work with Wareham Rotary Club and was elected president the following year.

Beloved husband of the late Delia, he leaves his children Sue and Chris and grandchildren Huw, Beckie, Jessie, Tory, Toby, and Henry.

A service of thanksgiving will be held in the Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham, on Monday, July 7, at 2.30pm.