- About Us
- Vision and Values
- Welcome from the High Master
- Welcome from the Head of St Paul’s Juniors
- Collaboration with St Paul’s Girls’ School
- Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
- St Paul’s School Virtual Tour
- Term Dates
- News
- History and Archives
- Our Governance
- Inspections
- School Policies
- Work with Us
- Facilities & Hires
- External Exam Candidates
- School Uniform Shop
- Admissions
- Academic Life
- Academic – Age 7-13
- Academic – Age 13-18
- Teaching Staff
- Teaching and Learning
- Learning Support – Age 13 – 18
- Kayton Library
- Exam Results & Information
- Art
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Computer Science
- Drama and Theatre Studies
- Economics
- Engineering
- English
- Geography
- History
- ICT
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Physics
- Politics
- Theology & Philosophy
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- Careers and Universities
- Beyond the Classroom
- Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
- Our Community
- Support Us
- School & Charity Partnerships
Back to all news
Members of the St Paul’s Community are invited to share their messages of condolence, following the sad loss of Dr Ed Beesley, Head of History at St Paul’s.
Ed’s wife is extremely grateful for the kind words she has received so far and wanted the school to share this message with the Pauline community:
Normally, I am extremely assiduous in writing thank-you cards for the gifts I receive but, after today, this would be an Herculean task so please excuse the impersonal nature of this message.
Ed was loved and respected wherever he worked and it is an enormous help to Augusta, Theo and me to see this marked so palpably by the hundreds of cards and messages we have already received. We have long since run out of vases for beautiful flowers and the massive box which just arrived with so many envelopes, gifts and expressions of love from SPGS and SPS is quite overwhelming. The Rugby community also holds Ed deep in their hearts and so we are drawing on our collective good memories to keep us strong. Ed will live with us forever, of course, but you have all already played a huge part in supporting us and I know he would love you all the more for it.
With our best wishes, Lizzie, Augusta and Theo.
If you would like to share your message on this page, please add your comment in the below box.
If you wish to include your name with your message, please add it to the message box as well as the field marked ‘name’.
Dr Beesley, thank you for being such a wonderful teacher and mentor to my son. Charismatic and funny how lucky was Henry to be assigned to your tutor group in 2018. You inspired him to research Witchcraft in East Anglia and to continue with history at university, but what was most important to me as a mother was that you genuinely cared for my sons’ wellbeing and future beyond St Paul’s School. Please accept our heartfelt condolences Lizzie, Augusta and Theo – words seem insufficient but you are in our thoughts and we will never forget Dr Ed Beesley
I was incredibly fortunate to have been taught by Dr Beesley for 2 years during A-Levels. He challenged me at a time when I was feeling a bit lost at school, and pushed me to focus more on studying not just for its own sake but to enjoy engaging with the materials I was being given. At the time I admit I did not appreciate what he was doing for me, shortly thereafter I realised he did this all with love. He truly cared for his students, and wanted to see them all succeed. I won’t forget how he struck an expert balance between teacher and friend whenever I needed his help. I am grateful for what he has done for me and for many others. My thoughts are with his family.
Dear Lizzie , Augusta , and Theo , i was so sorry to hear of the sad news , i’m sending you love and hugs at this sad time .
Sending you and the family a massive hug Lizzie. So sorry to hear the sad and shocking news.
Thinking of you all,
Siobhan Crabb
The whole Repton community, current pupils and ORs alike, was greatly saddened to hear the awful news of Ed’s untimely passing. Our deepest condolences to the family.