My father, George Baker, who has died aged 75, was a teacher of French and German, who spent most of his career at Walton high school, in Stafford. He served there as head of modern foreign languages and facilitated exchanges with schools in France and Germany, promoting his strong desire for cultural connection and understanding.
George was born in Epping, in Essex, to Norman, a civil servant, and Jessie (nee Wood), a local Labour party activist. He was brought up in Dulwich, south London, with his sister, Anna. He won a scholarship to the nearby Alleyn’s school, where his linguistic skills and intellectual sensibility earned him entry to Pembroke College, Cambridge, to read French and German. His sporting prowess culminated in a half blue in rugby fives, and on graduation he trained as a teacher at Sussex University.
