We are saddened to share the news that Mervyn Brooker, Headmaster of King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys from 1995 – 2002, died on 23rd January after a sudden and short illness.
Born in Burton on Trent, Mervyn attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Burnley Grammar School. He read Geography at Jesus College, Cambridge where he remained for his teacher training. An accomplished cricketer, he was awarded a Cambridge Blue and played minor counties cricket for Cambridgeshire and Staffordshire.
Mervyn began his teaching career at Saffron Walden County High School in Essex before successive promotions at Royal Grammar School Worcester and at Highfields School, Wolverhampton. After a spell as Deputy Head at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham, he was promoted internally to become Headmaster. From there he moved to Bolton School to become Headmaster of the Boys’ Division.
Mervyn contributed enormously to the success of Camp Hill School for Boys and in semi-retirement renewed his association with The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, becoming its Education Advisor, with responsibility for establishing its academy in Sheldon Heath. He also supported the development of their widening access and “Opening Doors” campaigns which offered opportunities to engage with primary schools across Birmingham with outreach activities and “familiarisation” sessions for bright disadvantaged children. His energy and commitment were instrumental in the change to the grammar schools’ admissions policies to permit up to 20% of their places to be provided for these children. This legacy continues to be developed.
Mervyn was a keen walker and enjoyed taking friends and colleagues on long treks both at home and abroad. He is affectionately remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mervyn fell ill suddenly, with complications arising from meningitis. He is survived by his wife Brigid, their two daughters and grandchildren.
Born in Burton on Trent, Mervyn attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Burnley Grammar School. He read Geography at Jesus College, Cambridge where he remained for his teacher training. An accomplished cricketer, he was awarded a Cambridge Blue and played minor counties cricket for Cambridgeshire and Staffordshire.
Mervyn began his teaching career at Saffron Walden County High School in Essex before successive promotions at Royal Grammar School Worcester and at Highfields School, Wolverhampton. After a spell as Deputy Head at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham, he was promoted internally to become Headmaster. From there he moved to Bolton School to become Headmaster of the Boys’ Division.
Mervyn contributed enormously to the success of Camp Hill School for Boys and in semi-retirement renewed his association with The Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, becoming its Education Advisor, with responsibility for establishing its academy in Sheldon Heath. He also supported the development of their widening access and “Opening Doors” campaigns which offered opportunities to engage with primary schools across Birmingham with outreach activities and “familiarisation” sessions for bright disadvantaged children. His energy and commitment were instrumental in the change to the grammar schools’ admissions policies to permit up to 20% of their places to be provided for these children. This legacy continues to be developed.
Mervyn was a keen walker and enjoyed taking friends and colleagues on long treks both at home and abroad. He is affectionately remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Mervyn fell ill suddenly, with complications arising from meningitis. He is survived by his wife Brigid, their two daughters and grandchildren. 
