My friend and colleague Bernard Godding, who has died aged 82, was one of the more imaginative adult educationists of his generation. As head of adult education for central Norfolk for nearly 20 years, he was known for his commitment to visiting classes across the wider Norwich area and his encouragement of new tutors.
Bernard was not a rule-follower and he was determined to give communities what they needed. He had an ability to work round systems “for the students”, as he put it. This irritated some senior managers who were forever finding ways to rein him in, but fortunately he was strongly supported by centre heads and tutors. This led to some groundbreaking advances. Provision at regional forensic units, in long-stay hospitals, and on social housing estates, brought people into learning who had not had the opportunities before.
It was his idea to create a national project to improve the quality of education for adults with learning difficulties, which he persuaded the then National Institute of Adult Education to put in place in 1988, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Born in south London, Bernard was the son of Joan (nee Darker), a teacher, and Alfred Godding, an engineering draughtsman. He went to Sutton county grammar school, Surrey, then to Bretton Hall College of Education, Yorkshire, to gain his teaching certificate, despite leaving school with few qualifications.
On graduation in 1965, he married Naomi Vatcher, a fellow student, and taught for four years at Queniborough primary school, Leicestershire, before moving in 1969 to a primary school in Wigston, where he was also given the chance to manage the adult education offer until 1972. This was a creative time, establishing new courses for adults. A two-year stint in administration in further education at Leicestershire county hall followed.
In 1974 he took up a split post at Burleigh Community College, teaching young people and managing adult education. While there he worked closely with the local Asian community, gaining both trust and friendships.
Having been told he would not progress without a degree, Bernard combined working full-time with studying for a BA in science at the Open University (1976). He followed this with a diploma in adult education from Nottingham University (1978).
The following year Bernard was appointed as area head for adult education in central Norfolk. As the county coordinator for adult basic education, I worked with Bernard for 10 years, and we remained in regular contact throughout our lives.
Bernard retired in 1997, but his passionate support for adult education continued with the Educational Centres Association (ECA). As chief executive and chair of ECA nationally for 20 years he ran many conferences and projects in every region in England, virtually single-handed.
He was appointed MBE in 2010.
Naomi, their daughter, Rachel, and grandchildren, Ellie and Peter, survive him.
