A Life Dedicated to Learning and Broadcasting
The education and broadcasting worlds mourn the loss of Peter Griffiths, a devoted teacher and acclaimed television producer, who has died at the age of 86 from a brain tumour. In a final act consistent with his lifelong commitment to learning, he bequeathed his body to medical education.
From Classroom to Screen: An Illustrious Career
Griffiths' passion for education shaped a remarkable career. He began in the 1960s as an English teacher at Forest Hill and Upton House comprehensive schools in London. His academic journey continued as a lecturer in English at Furzedown College of Education for nearly ten years, followed by a role supporting London teachers at the Ilea English Centre between 1976 and 1978.
In a significant career shift, he moved into television, creating schools programmes that would inspire a generation. He was a key figure behind The English Programme, working at Thames TV from 1978 to 1992 and later at Double Exposure from 1992 to 1996. His work garnered prestigious accolades, including an International Emmy in 1987 for the TV film The Belle of Amherst. He also received a Royal Television Society award in 1994 for best education programme (secondary) as director and producer of a documentary about My Left Foot. His programmes on The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1986) and Brighton Rock (1989) were both Bafta-nominated.
Personal Passions and Political Convictions
Born in Harlow, Essex, just before the Second World War, Peter was the eldest of four sons. He grew up in the villages of Little Wakering and Great Wakering, attending Barling school and Southend high school for boys. He initially pursued a maths degree at Birmingham University before switching to a teaching qualification at Goldsmiths College, London, where he graduated as top student.
He was a committed socialist and humanist. In the 1970s and 80s, he was secretary of Action for the Community of Tooting and part of a collective that published the magazine Teaching London Kids. For many years, he was a member of the Communist party and co-edited the book Cuba: The Second Decade with his brother John in 1978.
Beyond his professional and political life, Peter was a man of diverse interests. He had a great love for art, jazz, theatre, world cinema, travel, and birdwatching. He was also a lifelong cricket fan, fondly recalling watching Essex bowl out the Australian team's greats in 1948.
Peter Griffiths is survived by his wife, two daughters, Melanie and Jilly, three grandchildren, Ellis, Sonny and Romilly, and two of his brothers, John and David.
