David Paul King (1936 – 2023)
Somerset born and bred, Paul was educated at Wells Cathedral School. Somerset was always in his thoughts and he felt a close connection to his roots and his beloved Somerset Cricket team! Another keen interest throughout his life was in the Peninsular Wars and Paul undertook much reading and research on the Duke of Wellington and the events at Waterloo.
Following his P.G.C.E. at Bristol University, he developed a career in education, teaching at King Edward VI Grammar School in Aston, Birmingham, at Longdon Hall near Lichfield, and at The City of Bath Boys’ School as Head of Religious Education and Head of Sixth Form. Following a period of National Service in the Royal Artillery, he began his studies at St. John’s College, Durham University from 1956 -1959 and was President of the Durham Union Society in 1959. St. John’s was always very close to his heart and he visited Durham Cathedral, his college and the city whenever he returned to the north-east to visit his wife Sue’s family in Sunderland. He was, indeed, still wearing his college scarf in 2023.
In 1971, he was appointed RE Adviser to the Devon County Education Advisory Service in Exeter, where he worked until 1984. He was founding chairman for Exeter’s Richmond Fellowship house in 1971 and continued working with the organisation for some years after. From 1978 to 1984, Paul sat on the Christian Education Movement’s General Council & was Chair of the National R.E. Teachers’ Committee. Prior to joining HMI, Paul wrote several sections in ‘A Dictionary of Religious Education’ (SCM Press 1984) and contributed regular reviews and articles for the British Journal of RE.
Paul joined Her Majesty’s Inspectorate in 1984 and served as a schools’ HMI between 1984 and 1994, specialising in RE. His initial posting in the Midland Division was to the Stafford office, followed by shorter spells in the South West and North West. Paul’s inspection of RE was rigorous and sensitive and his work always well-regarded. Paul worked as an independent inspector and consultant from 1994-2001, acting as lead Registered Inspector for many inspection teams. Paul leaves two daughters and a wife, Sue, who is a retired Headteacher.
