A Tribute to Colin Hart
“What a loss to the profession.” How many times has this thought saddened the heart of school leaders as a young teacher’s resignation letter hits their desk?
When Colin Hart left his job as a Maths Teacher at Gosforth High School in Newcastle in 1990, few could have imagined the huge service that this young man would give in the cause of Christian education, from outside the classroom. And it is likely that only now, as he starts his eternity in heaven, many will come to appreciate what this extraordinary man has quietly achieved in the name of Christ in the fiery furnaces of UK public policy.
Born in 1963, Colin came north from his home in Sussex to read Mathematics at Newcastle University but he never went back. His accent could never be described as Geordie but he made his home on Tyneside and from there he began to make his lasting mark across the UK.
Before leaving teaching, he reached out to a local Headteacher whom he had heard was a fellow Christian, and almost 30 years his senior. The reason for his call was to encourage that Headteacher to be strong in his witness and bold in his defence of the Gospel in schools. That Headteacher was John Burn and from that point, their partnership in God’s work began.
It was Colin’s personal commitment to Christ, combined with his conscientious zeal for God’s Truth, that motivated him to take his stand in the political sphere, not as a public representative but as a researcher, persuader, advocate and defender of the faith upon which our nation has been built. By 1991, he had laid the foundations of two Christian beacons of light, one on either bank of the Tyne.
In establishing the Christian Institute (CI) that year, with John as his Chairman and constant support, Colin went about the business of scrutinizing public policy and speaking up, gently but robustly, so that the Christian voice could be heard in the corridors of power. He quickly gained the respect of those on all sides of the debates, who recognised his quiet authority and integrity as a well-thought-through advocate for Christian belief and action. His style was neither extrovert nor flowery but it was resolute and resilient.
He took a stand in resisting the removal of Section 28 which constrained the use of public money to promote homosexuality in schools, and he defended the Daily Act of Worship as a marker of the nation’s commitment to Christian belief and practice, notably reaffirmed in the recent Coronation of our King. He hosted a series of lectures by Christian teachers on how the subjects of the school curriculum lend themselves to the affirmation of a creator God and to the Christian worldview.
He worked closely with colleagues in Scotland in challenging the Relationships and Sex Education materials which have been prevalent in schools ‘north of the border’ for many years, and he has supported several individuals who have been disciplined or sacked from their positions within schools because of their Christian beliefs.
Thirty-three years later, the CI has grown into a well-respected body of almost 40 Christians whose work and influence now extends beyond education, supporting Biblical Marriage, pro-life rights, Christian care for the dying and a biological and Biblical reading of sex and gender. The CI is undoubtedly a shining beacon which will miss Colin’s leadership, energy and strength, but it is a heritage worthy of his name.
The other beacon which he set alight was Emmanuel College, Gateshead. Founded in 1990 as a non-denominational Christian City Technology College (one of the 14 forerunners to the Academy Programme which now dominates English schools), Emmanuel was Colin’s brainchild which he persuaded local Christian businessman, Peter Vardy, now Sir Peter, to sponsor. Having read the CTC legislation, Colin saw the opportunity for a school which was open to all children, regardless of faith, and which would present Christian Truth alongside other worldviews as a stimulus for spiritual exercise and intelligent engagement. Supported by John Burn, Michael (now Lord) Bates and Sir Peter, Emmanuel College has become one of the North of England’s finest schools but it is testimony to Colin’s humble nature that few will even know that it would not even exist today without his God-given insight and imagination.
And now, as with all of God’s servants, the time has come for Colin’s earthly service to come to an end and by now he will have heard his Master’s voice welcome him home as a good and faithful servant. Whilst many knew of him, not many knew him; such was his quiet witness, but the Christian voice in the UK over the past 35 years owes him much, within education and beyond it, and we must pray that the Lord will raise up others to continue the work which he so selflessly started and sustained.
Colin passed away at home on 13th March 2024.