News & Events
Mr Brian A Watt (1950-2025)
It is with great sadness that the Association reports the passing of Brian Watt. It is with great sadness that Read School announces the passing of Mr Brian A. Watt, Chairman of the Board of Governors, on Saturday 12th April at the age of 74.
Brian was the third son of Harry and Connie Watt. They married at the end of the War and had four sons. In 1957 the family moved from Takoradi, Ghana to Wistow, near Selby and all four boys attended Drax Grammar School (now Read School). For one year, 1965-1966, all four boys were at the School together with the eldest Ian as Head Boy.
Referring to the enclosed obituary for Brian Watt, it is relevant to record four boys from the Watt family living at Wistow near Selby were pupils at Read School (then Drax Grammar School) and all four were at the school together in 1965/1966. Ian, the eldest, was Head Boy but died in the early 2000s. His brother Peter paid for the refurbishment of the Sports Hall at a cost of c£65,000 in memory of Ian and Peter was appointed Chairman of the Governing body in 2014. During his tenure, Peter commissioned a Strategic Review of the school’s business prospects conducted by brothers Brian and David. Peter started the implementation of the findings of the Review but sadly died at the age of 70 in 2020. Peter persuaded brother Brian to carry on his pioneering work to ensure the long term future of the school. Brian was appointed Chairman in 2020 and followed on providing disciplined management of the school’s education and business until ill health required him to stand down temporarily in late 2024.
So far as is known, no single family has made such a significant contribution to the school’s life and all done for no reward other than the satisfaction of ensuring the school’s future and its ethos.
Mundana Gloria Vana
Ken Houghton
It is with great sadness that the Association reports the passing of Ken Houghton. Ken attended Drax Between the Years from 1958 to 1964, and his contributions during that time were invaluable. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.
Mundana Gloria Vana
