Teacher's widow in pledge to improve working conditions for school staff

Alison Utting, wife to father-of-three, Gareth, says she will continue to put pressure on the Education Secretary to help alleviate the stress teachers face.

Her husband, an English teacher at Thomas Adams School in Wem, was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on the evening of April 2 after being he was suddenly taken ill.

He later died while of what is thought to have been a heart attack.

After his death, Mrs Utting wrote an open letter to the then Education Secretary Michael Gove warning him of the stress teachers face. She posted it on Facebook, to help spread awareness of the pressures teachers are being put under – saying her husband had been "killed by the system" and that what happened to her husband should not have done.

Mrs Utting, of Ellesmere, said: "I have recently finished reading through all the wonderful messages of support and sympathy that I was sent via Facebook back in April/May, when my open letter to Mr Gove went viral.

"The letter was shared on Facebook more than 110,000 times. It also wandered over into the world of Twitter.

"I have been reading about so many teachers and other professionals who are struggling under the pressures of the current system. I have also been reading about others who have lost loved ones or who have found themselves changed beyond all recognition as a result of stress.

"Above all, I have been reading about love and support. So many of you shared your best wishes for us all, and told me we were in your prayers, and I want to thank you for that.

"I never did get a response from Michael Gove. However, his successor, Nicky Morgan, took the trouble to speak to me by phone.

"She seemed genuinely interested, sympathetic and concerned, and her actions so far have seemed to me to be edging towards a better working environment for all in teaching.

"Whether this is simply electioneering, who knows? But surely it is better to have someone who at least expresses appreciation and concern, than someone who simply ignores.

"I feel very proud that Gareth and I might have made a little difference. I will keep on trying. Whoever moves into the Education Secretary's office in 2015 can expect a letter from me."

Meanwhile, a defibrillator machine has been installed at Thomas Adams School, paid for with money raised at a charity football match in memory of Mr Utting.

Headteacher Liz Dakin said it was very important to react to the tragedy as well as have a defibrillator installed as a precaution.

Eleven members of staff have now been trained in how to use the machine at the school.

The fundraising football match, which took place at Wem Town Football Club in May, was between staff and sixth form students.

It was watched by more than 200 people and raised over £900 for the defibrillator machine.

Mr Utting was a Beaver Scout leader in the village of St Martin's and martial arts instructor.

He was also an active member of Penycae Neighbourhood Church of the Nazarene, based in the village between Chirk and Wrexham.

Mrs Utting added that their three children were "doing remarkably well" and Gareth's pupils excelled themselves in their exams.

"The school raised a fantastic amount of money from the charity football match held in Gareth's memory, and have installed a defibrillator.

"The Beavers have planted daffodils all around the Scout hut.

As for her: "Well, life goes on. It is still incredibly painful but there are moments of peace and even joy creeping in."

"When I have bad times I sometimes look at the wonderful cards and messages that people have sent. It truly does make a difference to know how much Gareth was treasured."

Mr Utting had taught at Thomas Adams for 10 years. The school also hosted a memorial service following his death.

His funeral on April 14 at St Mary's Church, Ellesmere, was attended by hundreds of mourners.