Tributes Pour in after Sudden Death of Inspirational Schools Boss

Friends and colleagues of an “inspirational” Bristol schools boss have spoken of their shock following his sudden death.

Dave Baker, the chief executive of the Olympus Academy Trust, was just 61.

Mr Baker, was remembered as a larger than life figure, who was well-known in the education and charity sectors throughout the South West.
He founded Olympus in 2012, with its first school, Bradley Stoke Community School, which he had been instrumental in planning and opening as its first headteacher in 2005. Before becoming a school leader, he had been a teacher of several different languages, primarily French and German in various schools in the Bristol and wider area. Under his leadership, Olympus is now responsible for educating more than 6,500 pupils, and employs around 800 staff.
Outside of education, Mr Baker was chair of the Bristol City Robins Foundation and a referee for the West of England Basketball Association. His brother Jonny said he had died last week following a heart attack.

“We always said he was born to be a headmaster and sure enough he went on to teach and become head of not one but multiple schools as CEO of Olympus Academy Trust in Bristol,” he said. “He was an amazing networker and stayed in touch with so many people – we used to joke about the ridiculous size of his Christmas card list.”

He added: “He loved and played basketball, loved the ocean and surfing, loved doing sudokus! He was super dependable, organised everything and everyone, was very caring, a great leader, brother to me, uncle to my lads. We are so sorry to lose him what feels like so early – he was 61.”

Mr Baker held other roles within the education sector and worked with the Department for Education to support other education leaders in the region and beyond.
He was also a national policy advisor for the Confederation of Schools Trusts, chair of the board for the Five Counties Teaching School Hubs Alliance, and vice-chair of the South Gloucester Schools Forum. He was a member of the Venturers Trust and advisor to the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust.

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, recalled how Mr Baker had used his sense of fun to great effect.

Paying tribute, she said: “Dave, you were an icon of strength and goodness and courage. You touched so many lives and you used your life force to bring about good in the world. You helped so many, including me, in times of aloneness or darkness.

“At two metres tall, you were larger than life – with your bow ties and boldness.

“You showed the children in your trust how to maintain a safe distance during Covid by lying flat in the corridors of your schools.

“I loved your sense of fun, humour, and infinite possibility.”

Olympus runs Bradley Stoke Community School, Charborough Road Primary, Callicroft Primary Academy, Filton Hill Primary, Meadowbrook Primary, Stoke Lodge Primary, Abbeywood Community School, Patchway Community School, Winterbourne Academy. It will also run Lyde Green Community School when it opens next year.

Sarah Williams, chair of the trust’s board, said: “Dave was a remarkable and inspirational leader whose unwavering commitment and passion shaped Olympus into what it is today.

“He guided us through transformative growth, championed collaboration and had a commitment to making a meaningful difference. Whether in the boardroom or walking the halls in our schools, he led with vision and a contagious passion.

“He never missed a chance to celebrate successes or offer a word of encouragement to learners and staff alike. His legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.

“There will be time for us to celebrate and honour his professional life, and in the meantime, our thoughts and condolences are with Dave’s family and loved ones, and I respectfully ask that they are given the space to grieve and mourn their loss.”

Lucy Livings, regional director for the Department for Education, said:

“Dave was a very special person – one of a kind – and will be greatly missed by me and my team.

Dave has given so much to the education system across the South West, well beyond his schools and trust, and leaves a legacy of system partnership that I, and I know many others across the South West, are indebted to him for.

My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time.”

Dave was part of the Woodlands Church and his death has been a shock both to family and friends and wider circles in Bristol.

We pray for comfort and strength to the family grieving and for others to be raised up in this city who can stand with strength, integrity, vision and bless the city in many ways for your kingdom.


_{Sources www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tributes-pour-after-sudden-death-10451598
www.olympustrust.co.uk/News/Tributes-paid-after-the-unexpected-death-of-academ/}