The education community is mourning the loss of Joanna Ross, a revered special educational needs teacher whose creativity and unwavering commitment touched countless lives. She passed away at the age of 70 after living with Alzheimer's disease.
A Legacy Built on Inclusion and Dignity
Joanna Ross dedicated her career to championing inclusive education, placing the accessibility and dignity of every child at the heart of her work. She was best known for her transformative 14-year tenure at Richard Cloudesley School in Islington, north London, a setting for children with complex needs which she joined in 2004 and remained at until her retirement in 2018.
Her influence was profoundly physical as well as pedagogical. In 2008, she played a key role in designing the school's new building, ensuring the architectural plans centrally addressed the physical and cognitive requirements of the students. This work created an enduring environment where they could thrive.
Creativity, Compassion, and National Recognition
Inside her classroom, Joanna was a force of energy and joy, famously turning challenges into opportunities. Whether orchestrating an acrobatic pyramid for a school play or guiding pupils through life's lessons with deep compassion, she empowered everyone around her—children, families, and colleagues alike.
Her exceptional contributions were recognised nationally in 2015 when she was honoured as the Special Needs/Early Years Teacher of the Year at the Pearson Teaching Awards. Characteristically humble, she never sought the spotlight, viewing the accolade simply as a chance to further her meaningful work.
A Life of Adventure and Dedication
Born in Bristol, Joanna was the fourth daughter of Barbara and the Reverend John Beall. After a childhood in Lancashire and education at Accrington High School, she embarked on adventures abroad, working as an au pair in Spain and later as a bilingual secretary in Paris and London.
She returned to the UK to study linguistics at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), graduating in 1984, before completing a PGCE in early years education at the London Institute of Education in 1988. Her teaching career began in north London primary schools, with a significant period at Sebright Primary from 1991 to 2004, before her pivotal move to Richard Cloudesley.
In the early 1990s, she met Ed Ross, an American maritime lawyer based in London. The couple married in Las Vegas and shared many happy years until his death in 2019. In the difficult years following, during the pandemic, Joanna began experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer's. She entered full-time care in 2022.
Joanna Ross is remembered as a rebel for all the right reasons—a woman of profound kindness, creativity, and dedication. She is survived by her two sisters, Barbara and Holly, two nieces, Naomi and Amy, and a nephew, David.
