When I arrived at Pocklington School as newly appointed Headmaster in 1992, David Nuttall was 52 years old, an experienced, wise, witty and shrewd Deputy Head who knew the staff as well as his own children, and the pupils as if they were his own children.  He guided me through my initial, uncertain, mistake strewn early years as Head with firm tact, unwavering support and unambiguous clarity.  He nurtured me with care, protected me as if I were his own and shared my enthusiasm for education and for people.  He had a great love of humanity which was evident in his dealings with people: he frowned on technology, preferring face to face conversations to resolve tricky or mundane problems.  Blessed with good listening skills he was adept, having listened, at teasing out solutions to apparently impossible logistical or human problems, always doing so with an intensity and a joy as the solution emerged that gave the impression that no one else at the time mattered other than the person he was dealing with.  The same was true of his deft management of parents with whom he dealt always with courtesy and warm professionalism.

A gifted strategist and a natural leader, David was staunch in his defence of his colleagues when he felt they had been wronged but equally was critical of them when he felt them to be in the wrong.  His nickname “crunch” was perhaps severe although it reflected his ability to be decisive after reflection on any matter, but it concealed his underlying love of people and enjoyment of their company.  Highly articulate, he was a talented speaker and a brilliant organiser.  He could always be depended on to ensure that events at school went well.  He was a fine role model to colleagues, the quintessential schoolmaster who believed in and practised holistic education long before the term was dreamed up and became fashionable.  A gifted teacher of Modern Languages he broke all the rules of modern teaching methods, but captivated, enchanted and engaged the pupils.  His joie de vivre was ever evident in the classroom as it was on the cricket field where for years he was an inspirational coach of the 1st XI cricket team.  It was characteristic of him that in his final years at Pocklington he reverted to coaching the youngest pupils in the senior school instilling in them the silky skills of leg spin bowling and attacking batting.  In retirement he edited and updated the school history, and continued for some years to coach cricket to twelve-year-olds with the same enthusiasm that he must have possessed initially as a young school teacher and then Boarding Housemaster at Pocklington school, 40 years earlier.  He epitomised good school mastering, ethical leadership and a life of service.  He did everything with zest and until the task was finished.  Life at Pocklington cannot be the same without him.

To him I owe a great personal debt.  He showed me the way when I felt lost and taught me how to lead.  I could confide in him and know that my confidences would never be breached.  He was loyal, and in all my thirty years of school leadership was to me the Deputy whom I could call a real mentor and a friend.  May his soul rest in eternal peace.  He was a man who made a vast difference to the lives of others, but asked for no recognition in return. Virtue is its own reward.

Tribute by David Gray, Former Headmaster (92-00)