My father, Richard Evans, who has died aged 79, dedicated his life to widening access to education, a mission born of his experience of being called a failure while at primary school, thanks to the 11-plus.
He was born in Solihull to Mildred (nee Bryant), who went into domestic service in her early teens, and Benjamin Evans, a career sailor who joined the navy aged 14. Richard failed the 11-plus on two occasions, yet he went on to achieve five degrees, including a PhD in physics. He credited this to the support of teachers who encouraged his love of science.
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