A born linguist, Harmer Parr went to Churchill College, Cambridge as a Scholar in 1968 to read modern languages; he graduated in 1971. After his PGCE year, he taught in a range of schools in the South-West and in Suffolk.
In 1987, he became an LEA languages adviser in Sunderland, a role in which his support, enthusiasm and sense of humour were greatly appreciated. Always a keen advocate for languages, he was well known across the North-East, and further afield, particularly for his work on the annual Festival of Languages, the network based on the Sunderland CILT Comenius Centre and his ideas for the development of GOML (Graded Objectives in Modern Languages).
Harmer had extensive knowledge of school improvement issues beyond his specialism. After his return to East Anglia, he worked with failing schools in Great Yarmouth. He was appointed HMI in 2002 and served until his retirement in 2008.
Colleagues never ceased to be impressed by his wide range of interests. One commented ‘A conversation with Harmer (…) could equally take in thoughts about Balzac, quotations from Schiller and the rights and wrongs of primary languages, not to mention the prospects of Norwich City and the failings of the Education Department (DfES and others). He was someone with a vast and interesting hinterland who loved to share thoughts and remembrances with others.’
Harmer was a multi-talented sportsman who played football for Cambridge University Falcons. His many achievements included successful completion of the ‘three peaks’ challenge of ascending Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis within a 24-hour period.
I first knew him through the annual conference and other HMI contacts with NALA. Such contacts were invaluable at a time of major developments in MFL, a period when Harmer was a pillar of NALA. He served the association with distinction, bringing enthusiasm and commitment to his successive roles as Secretary, Chair and President. Since he became an HMI as I retired from the Inspectorate, we did not work as HMI colleagues, but I am sure that inspections were enriched by his range of personal and professional qualities.
Harmer was a good listener who could calm even a fractious meeting with his typical smile and sensible words. His skill was (in the words of a close colleague) ‘drawing the disparate threads of other people’s meanderings together with a relevant quote from Montaigne and an ingenious pun of his own’.
Notably in the years following his cancer diagnosis in 2017, Harmer developed (via email and telephone) a remarkable rapport with colleagues whom he never met in person. One commented: ‘We became close pen friends and had a prolonged and stimulating set of exchanges about literature and life. His zest for life, toughness of spirit and huge capacity for love and friendship shone through our all too brief acquaintance.’
Another remarked: ‘He was an amazing person. I’ve never known someone with so much fortitude, courage and determination coupled with a delicious, mischievous sense of humour which spared no one, especially himself and his sworn enemy “Melvyn the melanoma” whom he held at bay for so long.’
Harmer even wrote a speech to be read by his daughter Helen at his own funeral. A friend reflected on this experience: ‘As always, it was funny, witty, gentle and reassuring – not a voice from beyond the grave but, as he himself put it, “speaking outside the box”. He left us all smiling.’
Although colleagues knew Harmer in different contexts and circumstances , there is consistency in their recollections of his gifts, his support for others and his warm personality. We remember an accomplished linguist with a deep understanding of the wider education scene. A lovely man with a wonderful sense of humour, he faced adversity with great courage and resilience. He remains an inspiration to us all.
Alan Dobson
