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  Forum for former BBC staff › › Notices, obituaries and tributes › Mike Baker
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Mike Baker (Read 9100 times)
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Mike Baker
Sep 22nd, 2012, 3:06pm  
BBC Education Correspondent Mike Baker has died.

This is from the BBC News web-site.


"The award-winning education journalist Mike Baker has died.

The 55-year-old former BBC education correspondent had written about his struggle with cancer in a widely-read and candid blog.

Baroness Estelle Morris, the former education secretary, paid tribute to his "perceptive and wise" coverage of changes in education.

"There are fewer better examples of all that is good in public service broadcasting and journalism," she said."  

"Education ministers were ready to admit that sometimes Mike Baker knew more about their policies than they did."  


From:-     http://www.mikebakereducation.co.uk/

"STOP PRESS: I've just been awarded the UK Lung Cancer Journalist of the Year Award 2012: see 'Cancer Blog'."  


"Mike is an award-winning education journalist and broadcaster. After a 27 year career at the BBC, he now writes a regular column for The Education Guardian and continues to broadcast as a freelance. He  chairs numerous education conferences, has been a member of several advisory bodies, and is a trustee of two education charities. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by Oxford Brookes University in 2011. "  


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Re: Mike Baker
Reply #1 - Sep 22nd, 2012, 8:28pm  
This is from an obituary in "The Guardian" by Sue Littlemore.


".......Though Mike was often described as a thoroughly "nice" man, that fails to express his principled and fundamental respect for others. In a media world where questionable behaviour often stems from large egos and deep insecurities, Mike's generosity and kindness stood out. He encouraged younger colleagues and was quick to recognise other people's success.

For someone who was physically active, rarely drank alcohol and had never smoked, his diagnosis of lung cancer in April 2011 was a shock. His widely read blog is upbeat, entertaining and thought-provoking. In a speech to teaching graduates in 2011, published on it, he explained about how cancer renewed in him the value of learning for pleasure and its own sake."
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Re: Mike Baker
Reply #2 - Sep 22nd, 2012, 8:37pm  
Mike's "Beating cancer" Blog may be found here:-

http://www.mikebakereducation.co.uk/beatingcancer/

where many friends and colleagues have posted their memories.

"This is a quick post to let everyone know that our dear Mike died very peacefully at the hospice on Friday September 21st at 12:20pm. Chrissy, Louise and Rachel were all at his side. He was surrounded by love.

We will write a more detailed entry to the blog in the next few days.

There will be a memorial service in due course, details to follow."
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Re: Mike Baker
Reply #3 - Sep 25th, 2012, 9:43pm  
Rebecca Smithers, who was The Guardian's education correspondent (1997-2004) and education editor (2004-2007) has compiled some tributes which maybe found here.

"Mike continued writing his regular column for Education Guardian – and his award-winning cancer blog –until he was too sick to carry on.
I never heard anyone, in education or in journalism, say a word against him."

Contributors include:-
Michael Gove, education secretary,
Estelle Morris, education secretary (2001-02)
David Puttnam, chancellor of the Open University,
David Bell, vice-chancellor, University of Reading
Christine Blower, general secretary, National Union of Teachers
Fred Jarvis, former general secretary, National Union of Teachers

"He was an outstanding education journalist and a thoroughly nice person, who will be greatly missed."
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Re: Mike Baker
Reply #4 - Oct 6th, 2012, 8:22am  
"The Independent" has an obituary here.


"Mike's education columns for the BBC News website and later for the Education Guardian gave him greater scope in which to expound his thoughts on education matters. The respect he earned was evident in the host of awards he won including in 2011 Best Online Education Commentary and twice Educational Journalist of the Year."

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Re: Mike Baker
Reply #5 - Oct 12th, 2012, 10:08am  
The memorial service for Mike will take place on November 17th Saturday at 3pm, at St Andrews Church in Ham, Church Road, TW10 5HG.

There will be tea and cake after the service. Alternatively, if you feel like something stronger there are two very good pubs just down the road on Ham Common (The Hand and Flower and The New Inn).

Getting there:

Cars - There is parking at the Church but slightly limited.  

Bus - the 65 stops very close by, on Ham Common which you can easily get from Kingston and Richmond.

Taxi - good local taxi firm: Crown Cars 0208 546 4444
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