Tribute to Barbara Kley

27 May 1934 – 3 April 2022

Barbara was a huge part of JAGS life from when she started in 1960 to well after she formally left in 1994.

Barbara initially started as Head of Music in 1960, a position she held for 20 years.  She then became Head of Staff Administration until she left in 1994.   Barbara was also one of the founder members of JAGS Choral Society.

Even after Barbara left the school she remained an active member of the JAGS community and was on the Community Music Centre committee for many years.  In more recent years Barbara made a point of attending JAGS music events which she always thoroughly enjoyed and was present at the official opening of the new music centre in 2018.

“Others are far better qualified than me to comment in detail on Barbara’s time at JAGS, but as a senior assistant to the Head she exuded the confidence that long-serving teachers enjoy, fiercely loyal to the school and specifically the Music department to whose work and vision she was devoted. Her desk in the staff reprographics area was immaculately organised and woe betide anyone who ‘borrowed’ her scissors.

She was also kind and thoughtful. I grew fond of Barbara as an alumna member of staff. Conversation was wide-ranging. You could rely on her to give an opinion on anything, mischievous, irritable, but always honest. I congratulated my good fortune in finding that she was the perfect proofreader for the JAGS mag and other publications; she was meticulous in her approach, interested and invested in the role, keen for every punctuation mark and spelling to be correct. She freely and willingly gave her time and expertise to the school for many years, for which I will always be hugely grateful.” Alison Venn

“Barbara always epitomised old fashioned courtesy and charm, as well as not being afraid to point out any errors one made in whatever field one was deficient in. She relished all herJAGS family to the utmost, enjoying seeing former pupils and staff at every reunion. 

Despite her strong and sometimes forthright opinions, Barbara’s aim in life for all was to play her part in as good a way as possible, troubling people including neighbours and friends as little as possible when life became a little tough in recent years.

Chapel Choir on Sundays mourns her loss. When we found music she had written in 1994 for JAGS pupils, we immediately learned and performed it during Chapel Evensongs for her to hear live. I was so glad that we were able to do that.  Ever a lifelong lover of the music of J.S. Bach, and of the English Tudor period, Barbara’s composition reflected this deep love, and we remember her every time her Preces and Responses are sung.” Marilyn Harper