Dr.Philip Rutter

Mr Rutter was my music teacher and then also my class teacher at St Mary's in Hendon. He was clearly very good at music. He used to teach us harmonies and songs. We sang Noah the musical with songs like 'it looks like rain I must go and get my brolly', which I loved. He also taught us a song about a little boy running out into the road to get a red ball and getting run over and dying. 'A little boy cries and dies in the road '. This was quite disturbing actually. He was very precise about what he wanted to teach us. He used to go bright red in the face and shout at us for not getting our harmonies right. We were just a bunch of local kids from Hendon. Reading what people had to say about him in later life it appears he may have mellowed, which would have been a good thing. I have never forgotten Mr Rutter and having him as teacher provided a combination of highs and lows. He let me mix the Christmas cake in our class which was a great honour, but if any young teacher is reading this now, please understand that if you lose your rag at very young children on a regular basis you may not necessarily be remembered as you would have liked.

I'm deeply saddened to learn of Philip's death. We worked together when I was a Primary Schools Inspector for Hillingdon and he was Head of Breakspear JS. He was a huge pleasure to work with. He was something of a 'one-off' as a primary school headteacher and he never gave me an easy ride - but it was all the more stimulating for that! Our mutual love of music gave us a bond that went well beyond the confines of the job. I send my deepest condolences to all the members of his family.

Sad news but I am so glad he had a wonderful retirement travelling and walking and connecting with his family.
Philip taught all my children in the choir and orchestra and gave them a love of music that has endured.
He also became my first Head when I started at Breakspear as a TA and then teacher. Philip was a visible presence in the school with an open door to staff and pupils. He directed the school to many successes and I was proud to work for him and be part of the Breakspear team.
Philip is missed, but his legacy continues in all the young minds he influenced.

Mr. Rutter was a very special teacher to me. In 1970, at the age of 8, I arrived in London from Japan, unable to speak a word of English. I was immediately placed in the English education system at St. Mary's in Hendon. Neither I nor the school was really prepared for a pupil who could not speak English, and in 1970 there were still vivid memories of WWII in people's minds.

I now realize that Mr. Rutter may have just begun teaching then, as he was probably in his early twenties at the time. He took me and another pupil from Ghana—who also struggled with English—under his kind wings. I cannot remember the full extent of what he must have done to help a student like me, but I vividly remember his kind eyes and the patient music guidance he gave me with the recorder and the violin.

Among the many gifts Mr. Rutter gave me was the joy of music. After almost 50 years, I have started retaking violin lessons with the exact same violin that Mr. Rutter helped my parents find. After St. Mary's, I went to University College School in Hampstead, and I believe he helped guide me there as well.

I returned to Japan after five years in London. I kept in touch with Mr. Rutter for some time after returning to Japan, but then our correspondence ceased, as often happens with time and distance. I reconnected with him about ten years ago, and he was kind enough to visit me when I was in London. I deeply wish—and regret that I did not take steps—to see him one more time.

My parents, who faced the difficult task of helping their children adapt to life in London, are now close to 90, but they still vividly remember Mr. Rutter and remain deeply grateful to him. They send their heartfelt condolences.

With deepest gratitude, thank you, Mr. Rutter. I sincerely miss you.

I first met Philip in 1998 when he offered me a short-term contract teaching Year 3 at Breakspear. What began as a single term turned into nearly five years, that was to have a profound impact on my life.

During my time at Breakspear, I had the joy of working with amazing colleagues—many of whom became lifelong friends—and teaching wonderful children in the Ickenham community. I’ll always treasure those memories, even if I was known for wearing my coat on the playground all summer!

Philip played a pivotal role in making that experience possible. His leadership and influence shaped not only my journey but also the journeys of countless others.

I take comfort in the thought he is now be reunited with Heather Slade, and together, they are watching over us all.

May Philip rest in peace, knowing the legacy he leaves behind has had a lasting impact on so many.

Mr. Rutter's door was always open and he was always there to listen to what you had to say, whether you were a member of staff, a parent, a neighbour or a member of the community. His support will never be forgotten.
Thank you for his contribution to the world of music through the school community, whether it was playing an instrument, singing or appreciating listening to music.
Rest in peace.

So grateful to Mr Rutter for introducing our sons to music at Breakespear 🎶
He was always so patient and encouraging and gave us some wonderful memories.
They both went on to be members of the VSB, and still love music to this day.
May he rest in peace.

Philip Rutter was not just an outstanding educator and headmaster but a man who deeply cared about seeing his students become better educated, better musicians and better citizens. As a parent with two of our three children under his headmastership and as the son of an educator of some 35+ years standing myself I like to think I could spot great educators. From the moment of meeting him I knew he was cut from remarkable cloth, so to speak. And, over the years, he only affirmed that assessment. It wasn't just his day-to-day headmastership. His love of music (if you are a parent then you'll remember those Breakspear music concerts I'm sure) was complimented by often low-key(he may have been a PhD Dr. but he was at ease with just being called Mr. Rutter) and inspired efforts to improve the lot and outlook of his students. Under that leadership Breakspear was most certainly a school of note! Of course it wasn't his only school in which he worked during his career but it was the one that mattered to many of us. I would also argue - strongly - that if you had a house anywhere around the school over those times that its value was likely enhanced by 10%-20% because everybody wanted their kids to be in the catchment. I feel fortunate that, around three years ago, I took time to write to him and thank him for his leadership and his educational focus. I'm echoing those words here in his memory: , Sir - thank you for your remarkable service, for having put so many youngsters on the educational pathway and given them skills and interests to take forward in life. RIP. (Picture: Mr. Rutter on the playground at Breakspear in 2004 with just one of his many, many pupils from across the years).

Mr Rutter; you were the Headteacher while my daughter was at Breakspear; you ran that school like a tight ship; the children and parents knew where they stood; you had the children and parents on your side gaining their support and expecting good behaviour in the children; you were always out in the playground every morning if any parent needed to talk to you; you went on the Derbyshire trip and at every school meeting and assembly; you knew every child by name so thank you

Philip was a wonderful next-door neighbour in Kings Langley, as were all the family. He was very intelligent and interesting to speak with and we shared many meals at our homes or out. I have no photos of Philip but he very often walked along the canal to a far destination starting in Kings Langley, pictured above, together with another pretty local road in the village. He certainly led a very full and varied life and didn't waste a minute, not even in retirement.

He was my first headmaster at Breakspeare, and I always thought he was a fantastic role model and leader. I used to love it when he played piano in assemblies! He will be greatly missed by many, many alumni students.

May Philip rest in peace.

I approached Dr Rutter in 1994 with regards providing a parent driven initiative called "Breakspear Sports" Phillip replied it would not work but he had no problems with me trying anyway. Breakspear Sports was formed and for the next 10/12 years long after my children had left the school continued. At the top end of its popularity parents/ coaches were providing an abundance of teaching knowledge to over 140 children on a Saturday. We taught Hockey, Cricket, Netball, Athletics and even Basketball , Phillip immersed himself into the project and allowed a basketball net to be fixed to the wall in the assembly room !! Breakspear sports day was introduced ((Competitive) and was held on the fields of Kings College Rd, Breakspear became synonymous with being at the forefront of this scheme and indeed there was no other such school initiative in the South of England. Phillip supported us to the hilt and in doing so many children went onto playing sport at a high level, one such person to benefit was my daughter who played for England women Juniors and Seniors.