Jean Costerton, my late aunt, passed away at the age of 89. She dedicated her life to teaching and serving as a headteacher in some of the most impoverished nursery schools in south London. The schools she served included Clyde nursery school in Deptford and Kintore Way nursery school in Bermondsey.
In the year 1973, my aunt was appointed as a nursery adviser in London schools. She was also a member of a team of experts that played a crucial role in setting up and developing the Educational Home Visiting program that catered to young children. Jean had an in-depth understanding of the role that play plays in the development of children, and was a fantastic storyteller.
Jean was the eldest of three daughters born to Val and Zara Costerton in Camberwell, south London. At the age of nine, she was operated on for peritonitis, requiring blood transfusions. Jean was forever thankful to the impeccable nursing standards she received at Guy’s hospital, where she strongly believed that it was the reason she survived. After her recovery, Jean rejoined Mary Datchelor school in Camberwell two years after her treatment but was re-admitted in 1940 due to complications. She even survived the blitz that took place during the bombing of Guy’s.
Jean started her teaching career after studying at Rachel McMillan teacher-training college, Deptford. She had an inclination towards nursery education and went ahead to specialize in this field. She implemented her innovative teaching methods and play materials for the children. Jean had exceptional skills in identifying students with behavioral challenges, providing them with individual attention, and creating a nurturing environment. She said that she had no discipline problems in her classroom.
Jean was an avid learner, undertaking a child development course at the Institute of Education, London University. She attended several conferences and traveled to the US for the Nursery School Association’s summer school in 1972. She became a lifelong learner and enjoyed traveling around Europe, taking up the Italian language for her holidays in Tuscany. Jean was devoted to the Labour party and supported the Co-Operative Bank. After her retirement, she became a licensed lay reader for the Church of England and her ministry was at St Luke’s, Whyteleafe, Surrey.
My aunt was an organized and forthright person by nature. When she chose to move to Glen Arun, her retirement home for schoolteachers in Horsham, West Sussex, in 2008, she planned everything extensively. She sold her house and gave away a considerable chunk of her possessions, enjoying every bit of it. She joined a new church community nearby – St Leonard’s, Horsham, and continued her ministry there and in Glen Arun.
Jean was loved by all her nephews and nieces and was fantastic in teaching them to play different games, including card games and Scrabble. She had a passion for sports, especially cricket, and interacted with people of all ages from all walks of life, courtesy of her many interests.
Jean’s sister Mary and various nieces and nephews, including Annabel, Matthew and Jon Marsh, James and Sebastian Hammond, and I, survive her memory.
