Russell Sherman
“Listening to the Voice of the child”
Russell Sherman was a larger-than-life champion of good causes; a great ally to have in your corner to ensure that your voice was heard. Amongst his favourite phrases was, ‘Yes, but the bottom line is…’
Russell was always at great pains to remind all of us involved in education, that ‘the bottom line’ is that we are only here because of the youngsters. We must never lose sight of what it looks like and feels like for them. Not surprisingly then, Russell was a passionate advocate of ‘Pupil Voice’ – listening to and acting upon the aspirations, ambitions, concerns and opinions of the young people in Havering schools.
This web site celebrates Russell's passion for life, his love for his family and his total commitment to young people. As you take the time to listen to the voices of Havering children, we hope that you will celebrate with us the excellent work of Havering Schools and will capture just a little of Russell's passion, enthusiasm and love for all those whose lives he has touched.
This website is dedicated to the young people of Havering, and to the memory of Russell Sherman, Principal Schools Inspector.
Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.
We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.
We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling in the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.
Since then ’tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses’ heads
Were toward eternity.
Emily Dickinson