It is with tremendous sadness that we inform subscribers that David Ripley, the lead author of this website, died unexpectedly last week. As well as being a colleague, David was also a close friend, and we are still trying to process the news of his passing. As will be apparent to you from this site, David was an innovative and charismatic educator who was steeped in the IB. He was Head of English at St. Clare’s, Oxford, in the UK for 23 years before relocating to Spain with his beloved wife, Julita. There he continued to be very actively involved with the IB as a workshop leader, examiner, consultant, and subject committee member. One of the three founding authors of the InThinking Subject Sites project, he launched the English B site in 2011. Over the years it has gone from strength to strength, and it is a fitting tribute to his memory - not least because it shows the range of his intellectual passions, all of which he had the uncanny knack of making interesting and relevant to teachers and students alike. Something of a Renaissance character, David was also a gifted artist and this site is peppered with examples of his artwork. In addition to his many talents, David was a man of great charm and humility who was always open to the ideas of others. He touched the lives of many people and he will be greatly missed.

Please rest assured that the website itself will continue with Joseph O’Callaghan and others at the helm, doubtless guided by David’s spirit. There can be no better way of honouring his life and work.

Richard van de Lagemaat & Karin Wakeham
Directors of InThinking