Yesterday we received the very sad news that Kevin Clancy had passed away.

Kevin taught science at Balcarras from 2002 until retirement in 2018. He was a highly dedicated educator who always wanted the very best for his pupils. In addition to teaching, for many years he also ran the school’s careers provision. In this role he worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone had access to strong careers advice and was particularly tenacious in advocating for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Kevin was universally popular in the staffroom at Balcarras—indeed he was a stalwart—always there at break laughing and joking. He believed strongly in the value of camaraderie and he made it his business to celebrate people and to support them. For many years he acted as a Trade Union representative and always endeavoured to support his colleagues as best he could.

He was a mainstay of the Balcarras staff football scene and was a formidable opponent at full back. He was a regular on the Balcarras School ski trip and also took part in several expeditions to far flung places.

Kevin had a wonderful sense of humour and an infectious laugh. He was a great storyteller and his anecdotes always had people in stitches. He was a warm and generous man who always had time for other people.

He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew him at Balcarras. We send our condolences to his wife Lesley and to his three daughters—Kerry, Ellen and Anna, who are all Balcarras alumnae. Kevin was a highly devoted teacher but it was always clear that his love for his family was the defining dynamic of his life.  

Dominic Burke
Monday 10th February 2025