Philip MacDonald

We are sad to hear of the death of Philip MacDonald, Headmaster at Freemen's from 2007-2015. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

His family sent us this message:

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Philip Geoffrey MacDonald died peacefully on Sunday 27th August 2023. He had lived with cancer since a diagnosis in November 2019 and was blessed at the end with a holy and gentle death.

His time at Freemen's was a very enjoyable part of his career. His own mindset was to put pupils first, and was enthusiastic about their academic abilities and achievements whether in the classroom or outside in drama, music, sport or the many clubs that the school offered. School life was very busy, with many evening commitments, but he felt plays, concerts and parents' evenings were all wonderful occasions to see pupils and their parents in a more relaxed environment. The dedication of the teachers to the school and its pupils was a significant part of its success and Philip valued their role in the school, whilst never forgetting the importance and contribution of those in more background roles, from cleaners and groundsmen, to support staff and the boarders' houseparents.

As someone very involved in his spare time with DIY, renovations and an interest in architecture, he was enthusiastic about and involved in the planning and building of the new Music Department and Boarding Houses, and began plans for the new swimming pool after the devastating fire which destroyed the previous one.

The City and its traditions, charitable works and ceremonies were of course new to Philip, and he was grateful for the input and varied experience that Governors brought from the City to school. He enjoyed his visits there, as well as the school's annual City Visit, which were opportunities to meet others involved in the charitable work of the livery companies who contributed to the life of the school through bursaries and prizes.