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In Memory of

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Mary Ireland

Mary Ireland was Head at Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green from 2008 until her retirement in 2016. Previously she had run a boarding house at Ardingly and was Deputy Head at Christ’s Hospital.

She served Bancroft’s with great distinction and will be fondly remembered by parents, staff and pupils. As one former colleague commented, “Much loved by Bancroft’s pupils, admired by the parents and appreciated by her staff.”

One of Mary’s lasting achievements at Bancroft’s was the establishment of the Bancroft’s Foundation to mark the 275th anniversary of the School. She was passionate about expanding the reach of a Bancroft’s education to include those for whom it would have been impossible without financial support.

Upon her retirement, Mary was invited to join the Drapers’ Company as an Honorary Freeman, becoming a Liveryman in 2019. Last year she was elected to the Court of the Drapers’ Company, serving as Junior Warden.  She was a governor of several independent schools, including Eastbourne College, and the Chair of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School. Mary was also a trustee of the Sue Thompson Foundation, a charity which supports children in need.

The thoughts of the Bancroft’s community are with Simon, Fergus and the rest of Mary’s family at this difficult time. Mary will be much missed. 

Book Owner: Bancroft’s School
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Chris Bates

When news of Mary’s appointment reached the Modern Languages Department, we initially thought:”scientist, oh well”. Then we weighed up the evidence – very scientific :named Ireland, comes from Scotland, lives in England. Maybe languages could benefit after all. So we celebrated in the customary fashion – with cake. To be frank, though, this initial optimism was briefly called into question when I was first introduced to Mary as Head of Department. Her candid opening remarks referred to her previous managerial experience of said departments as ” usually quite troublesome”. Oh dear, better buckle up. To her credit and my relief, she added that first impressions would suggest that we might be the exception to the rule. After that, there was no looking back; well, maybe the odd glance, but that first meeting set the tone for a productive relationship which lasted until we both retired in the same year. Mary was always ready to listen to advice and take it on board before making her decisions. She was very generous with time and resources for languages, especially in the early formative years, where she introduced innovative diversity and choice which greatly benefited pupils. Being a Head Teacher at Bancroft’s …
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Imamul Choudhury

I am saddened by the news of the death of Mrs.Ireland. My condolences to her husband and family. My son Wasif attended Bancroft’s during her tenure as the Head. I saw how her exemplary personality and conduct helped to uplift the school’s culture and achievements. I used to enjoy her talks at patents’ evenings which contained advice and tips for parents.  Her legacy of service is an example to us all. It is nice to see that she is being remembered and honoured by everyone at Banroft’s. …
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Louisa Beringer

I was very saddened to hear of Mary’s death.  I want to send my warmest condolences to her family.  I knew her through Christ’s Hospital in her work she did to support children and families there after she left, through The Sue Thomson Foundation. From the few times I got to spend time with Mary I got to see her sharp wit, brilliant brain and passion about her work. On first meeting a pupil she pulled out an envelope and started scribbling maths puzzles to be worked out and enjoyed and she captured us all.  She told stories with engagement and humour and was thoroughly fun to be around. Thank you Mary for your fire and inspiration. …
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Suzanne Brough

I was saddened to hear of Mary’s passing.  Mary was the first person to welcome me to Bancroft’s when I joined the school in September 2008.  It was a CPD day, and she walked me to my office which she proudly informed me had been newly decorated and that the carpet was an off-cut from her new office carpet.  I told her I was most impressed with my office and the carpet!   It was evident that Mary loved everything about Bancroft’s and cared deeply for staff and students.  She threw herself into all aspects of school life and made use of all opportunities to get to know everyone within the Bancroft’s community.  Mary was a great listener, she gave sound advice and was well respected by all.   Mary will be missed and I send my condolences to all the family. …
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Helen Gartland

Mary was an enormously generous Head with a very clear vision of the school she wanted Bancroft’s to be. Her decisions were driven by a fundamental belief that every pupil deserved the best possible education, and she led by example in demonstrating the personal commitment that required from teachers, whether that was attending weekend sporting fixtures or travelling to Edinburgh in August to support school productions. Staff were never left in any doubt that their own contributions were highly appreciated; she wanted people – pupils and staff – at “her” school to be happy.  She proved a very supportive friend to me in what turned out, so sadly, to be the last eighteen months of her life. Her appointment as Junior Warden of the Drapers was an entirely fitting tribute to her altruism, and there can no doubt that there is, on balance, far more happiness in the world as a result of her presence with us.  …
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Helen Prescott-Morrin

When Mary joined Bancroft’s, I was Head of Sixth Form. She took great interest in all the students and was keen to see them in their best light, always encouraging them through the UCAS process. She very quickly ascertained that the job needed PA support and I was very grateful when she employed Suzanne Brough who proved an invaluable support. She involved me in this decision making process and I felt very included as well as valued. Mary was hugely supportive, was a great listener and gave excellent advice. She was easy to talk to, funny and never failed to see an opportunity where she could make a difference to the way someone felt by boosting staff and/or pupil confidence by an exchange of a few simple words. I became a Housemistress under her Headship and was amazed at her personal touch, kindness and sensitivity. She loved the school and I have many fond memories working with her. …
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Caroline Foinette

  I was so very sad to hear of Mary’s passing – she was an energetic, lively character and I know that she was relishing retirement. I was lucky enough to be employed at Bancroft’s by Mary in 2011. Meeting her on interview day, she spoke with such warmth about the school and the pupils – I knew this was someone that I wanted to work with. She was such a great support to me and the Music Department and would be at every concert and musical event that she could possibly make. The pupils really appreciated her support at musical, sporting and dramatic events and were proud to make her proud. I always welcomed Mary’s ‘feedback’ following a musical event; she would often write a little note or card detailing what she had enjoyed (and what she hadn’t!) and I appreciated her honesty and good humour. Mary was well-respected by pupils, staff and the wider Bancroft’s community. She worked hard and set a great example to all. Sending all best wishes to Simon, Fergus and the whole family. Mary will be sorely missed. …
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Kate Dean

It was a privildge to work with Mary. She cared deeply about the whole school community and was unwavering in her commitment. The culture of professionalism, trust and respect that she oversaw made working at Bancroft’s a pleasure and the level of interest she took in all of the pupils in her care was much appreciated as a parent. My thoughts are with Simon, Fergus and all of her family. …
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Jonty Pollard

You normally heard Mary on a touchline, long before you saw her and that genuine (if slightly raucous) support for ‘her’ Bancroftian’s, endeared her to so many. Her support was hugely appreciated by staff, and not just at sports fixtures, concerts, plays etc but in all aspects of their professional lives (and beyond). In short, she made you feel valued! Mary was no soft touch, and after an erroneous ‘reply-all’, I was called to account in no uncertain terms; a dressing down that the two-foot-thick walls at Bancroft’s did little to contain! It is easy to hear her now, not least because her rich accent and tone left an almost physical impression on her audience, “Bancroft’s, the local school with a National reputation”, but also because there was such integrity and belief to what she said. It is hard to believe that such unrestricted energy is no longer with us, and I can only imagine the hole that has been left in your lives Simon, Fergus and family. Mary certainly knew how to enjoy life, but to be able to share that enjoyment, so openly with others, was a tremendous and rare gift. …
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Andrew Busch

Mary’s death has deeply saddened me, and seems so wrong for someone who I remember as being so energetic. She was a headmistress of the old school – deeply involved in the life of the school and knowing every member and inch of the community. I always marvelled at how well she knew the students, but I suppose it was no surprise: she cheered them on at a wide range of activities, and regularly read their reports. This level of personal involvement on a granular level created a deep sense of community that pervaded the school, but somehow never felt like micromanagement. I think this was because she respected her staff’s professionalism. For myself, this made me feel incredibly supported, like I would be backed to the hilt if a student or parent questioned the decisions I was making. She will be missed. …
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