A respected former headteacher has died after a short battle with leukaemia.
Keith Defter was at the helm of Commonweal School in Swindon for 19 years before retiring in 2017.
In a statement, current head Chas Drew wrote: “I am writing with the sad news that Keith Defter passed away last week. Keith was Headteacher at Commonweal for 19 years.
“When he retired, he continued to work with us as coordinator of the Education Strategy Partnership. As recently as January Keith was in school to support staff training.
“Keith was a dear friend to many and will be remembered very fondly by the whole school community. So much of what Commonweal is, is Keith’s legacy.
“He was the driving force behind Commonweal becoming a Performing Arts School and behind the establishment of C6.
“He was the man who as much as anyone showed us the values to live and work by. Keith was only 63, until very recently he was as active and energetic as ever, he was admitted to hospital with leukaemia some weeks ago.”
“The school’s condolences go to Keith’s family. There is a book of memories in reception for anyone from the school community who would like to share their thoughts.”
