HE was head of a Hereford high school split between three cross-city sites; and Peter Baker would visit each everyday by bicycle in steering that school toward the success it knows now, writes BILL TANNER.

Mr Baker, who died last Thursday aged 85, turned the 370-roll Tupsley Church of England Secondary he took over in 1958 into the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School he retired from 20 years later - with more than 1,500 pupils and national attention for achievement on the way.

But John Chapman, who became his deputy in 1973, remembers a time when Bishop's 'wasn't much loved'. That was the year it incorporated the Bluecoat Girl's School and operated from three sites - Coningsby Street, Blueschool Street and Tupsley.

"Separate sites posed many problems. He (Mr Baker) visited each by bicycle, it being the quickest way of crossing the city," said Mr Chapman.

And those problems continued while Tupsley was transformed into the one size fitting all.

"He (Mr Baker) established new structures and took many difficult decisions, within a few years the school had moved to one site with many new facilities - the first steps towards a strong local and national reputation it (now) holds for many areas of its work."

But behind the dynamics, said Mr Chapman, was 'a good man who knew how to get the most out of life'. The school's notable characteristics - personal care for pupils, commitment to Christian principles and an excellence in music - closely reflected his views and interests.

Mr Baker retired in 1978, with the satisfaction of seeing Mr Chapman named as his successor.

But that last walk out of the gates wasn't to be the end. Ahead was the comparatively rare honour of a return as a governor; such was the respect in which he was held.

It was in this capacity that he offered the 'strong support' present Bishop's head Andrew Marson says he is so grateful for when thinking back on his early years in charge - experience also extended to other church schools across the Diocese.

Beyond Bishop's Mr Baker maintained a long-term involvement with All Saints Church, where many in the congregation remember a man of 'wise and considered' opinions. He and his wife Marjorie were also founder members of Hereford String Orchestra, for whom he was still playing the cello last Christmas.

Mr Baker died at St Michael's Hospice, Bartestree, after a relatively short illness. His funeral takes place at All Saints this Saturday (June 29) from 3.30pm.

Donations for St Michael's Hospice should be sent to Bayley Brothers (Hereford) Ltd, Cotterell Street, Hereford, HR4 OHL.

midlands.co.uk:Bill Tanner