East of England

Tribute to Val Pratt

Val Pratt, secretary of ALL Essex and East Anglian branch died on 21st September 2022 after a lengthy period of ill health and many hospital stays.

Val joined MLA (Modern Languages Association – Essex & East Anglian Branch) with me way back in 1984. I became chairperson and Val was the secretary. When MLA joined with BALT ( British Association of language Teachers) and others to form ALL, Val continued as secretary of the branch and was a member of the National French Committee travelling to meetings in Leeds, London- wherever they were held. No-one would mistake Val - she towered above most of us!

She taught languages – French, German, and Italian - the latter her true love - for most of her working life at Thomas Lord Audley School in Colchester where she became their first Language College Director. She was an Italian examiner for decades with the London board (now Edexcel).

Val was very much instrumental in the organisation of the well known Have Your Say Competition in East Anglia. She did all the admin which was tremendous when the competition had 3 preliminary rounds and a final which alone involved over 600 students. The competition has been running for over 30 years in the region and Val was very much at the helm. She never sought publicity for all the work she did. She went to all the venues and helped schools to organise the regional rounds providing all the certificates and materials. The final was always held at TLA, her own school.

Val was for many years a teacher governor at TLA and continued as a governor after retirement from teaching until ill health made it impossible. She is sorely missed, especially by me.

Avril Black
Chairperson, Essex and East Anglian branch

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