Tributes to ‘one of a kind’ Shoreham Academy teacher

David Isaacs taught computing and ICT at the secondary school and sixth form in Kingston Lane for 15 years. He tragically died on May 3, after a courageous battle with the disease.

Paying tribute, Jim Coupe, principal, said: “David joined what was then King’s Manor in 2006 and we know he will be missed greatly by the school community and beyond.

“He was hugely popular with the students and a much-valued colleague for staff. So many parents and students, past and present, have been sending in messages of condolence and incredible tributes to him.

“We were lucky to have known him and to have had the pleasure of working with him.”

Mr Isaacs was one of a kind, My Coupe said, and as a teacher of ICT and computing he built very special bonds with students, especially with those whom he shared a passion for these subjects.

They really appreciated the quirky aspects of his nature and his wry sense of humour, a combination that he was able to easily bring to his classroom, he added.

When Mr Isaacs was interviewed back in 2006, Mr Coupe said one of the questions he was asked was how he would like to be known to students and his answer was ‘to be someone who cares’.

“This proved to be a very fitting prophecy and really summed him up,” added Mr Coupe.

One parent whose two sons were taught by Mr Isaacs reflected on a time when he bought one of her sons a card to congratulate him on getting into Imperial College. “This was a true testament to the measure of the man,” they said.

“The words were sincere, and the gesture was heartfelt.

“My son doesn’t show emotion easily, but it really touched him that Mr Isaacs had taken the time to buy, write and send a card, as it did us.

“When we packed him off to university for the first time, that card was with him.”

One student said Mr Isaacs was one of his favourite teachers, adding: “He was a great man and an excellent teacher, who never failed to put a smile on my face.

“His lessons were the ones I’d always look forward to in the week and I know that the other students in my class felt the same.

“It was only last month me and another of his other old students were discussing memories from being in his class and the good times that we had.”

“David was a trailblazer in many respects, as you have to be when keeping up with the world of ICT and computing. Another example of his trailblazing relates to his journey to work from Hove.

“He will be remembered as one of the first members of staff to cycle a distance to work every day; before it was fashionable to do so.

“The image of David in his high vis attire, cycling along the seafront road past Shoreham Port will always remain with us.”