Tributes to John Burn OBE - the Christian Institute founder and brain behind top Gateshead school

Tributes have been paid to John Burn OBE, the Christian Institute founder and one of the brains behind a top Gateshead school. The Newcastle native, who left a lasting legacy on education and religion in the North East, sadly passed away aged 86.

Born in March 1938, John looked to use his faith to have an influence on wider society, specifically in the world of education, as he started his career as a science teacher. He worked in several schools, becoming Headmaster of Longbenton High School in 1979, where he improved standards through his commitment to traditional teaching methods, and he received his OBE for services to education as a result.

In the late 1980s, alongside Colin Hart, John set up the Christian Institute, to give Christians a place to speak out about their faith in a public way. Colin became Director, and John took on the role of Chairman.

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Colin and John also had a vision for a Christian-ethos state school, and as a result, Emmanuel College in Gateshead was formed, with funding from businessman Sir Peter Vardy.

John took over as Principal of Emmanuel in 1993, establishing its reputation as an outstanding institution with a clear Christian ethos and excellent academic results. He stepped down from Emmanuel in December 1998, and helped to establish three further academies as part of the Emmanuel Schools Foundation.

John served as the Christian Institute’s Chairman until 2021, and remained closely involved as a trustee, and advisor to his close friend, the late Director Colin Hart, who died in March. John left no surviving family, but will be greatly missed by his many friends, including Simon Calvert, the Deputy Director for Public Affairs at the Christian Institute, who considered John a mentor and confidant.

Speaking of John, Simon said: "I met John in 1996, when I was interviewed for my job at the Christian Institute, and he was a rigorous interviewer, an astute judge of character and brilliant at recognising people's talents. He was a mentor to so many people, people came to him for advice, both professionally and personally, and many of the 250 people at his funeral would count themselves within that.

"John's success with Emmanuel College is down to his hard work, he worked very long hours and was always dedicated and focused. He was very committed to a broad curriculum, and a wide range of extra-curricular activities, and he was always such an original thinker.

"He had a thoroughly thought through faith, which was the basis of his entire life, and his many friendships are his greatest legacy in my opinion. People who made friends with John felt a deep love and admiration.

"People may have thought John would be intimidating, but when you met him, he made you feel welcome, and he really cared about your interests. I will miss John for a multitude of reasons, but I will miss his friendship most of all."

Several written tributes to John Burn OBE can be found on the Christian Institute website here.