Nigel de Gruchy

Nigel Ronald Anthony de Gruchy (born 28 January 1943) is a former trade union official.

Early life

He was born in Jersey to Robert de Gruchy and Dorothy Cullinane.

He studied at the catholic De La Salle College followed by the University of Reading where he gained a BA in Economics and Philosophy in 1965. He attended the University of Paris during May 1968 to gain a Certificate Pratique de Langue Française. From Alliance française he gained a Certificate de Française Parlé et du Diplôme de Langue.

Career

After graduating, he taught English at the Berlitz Schools at Santander from 1965-6, and Versailles from 1966-7. He worked as a teacher of economics at the St Joseph's Academy, Blackheath, London from 1968-78, while taking a PGCE as part of the University of London External Programme.

NASUWT

In 1978 he became the full-time Assistant Secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), then in 1983 he became Deputy General Secretary, and in 1990 was elected as General Secretary of the union.^[1]

As leader of the union, he successfully obtained an independent pay-review body for teachers, and led a boycott of National Curriculum tests for 7- and 11-year-olds. He became known for his soundbites, and was criticised by other unions for his opposition to teaching assistants. He was vocal and forthright in his opinions, and took no prisoners.

He retired as General Secretary in April 2002.^[1]

Personal life

He married Judith Berglund in 1970. They have one son.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Nigel de Gruchy: The teachers' leader who spoke in sound bites", The Independent, 28 March 2002

External links

• Describing politicians as 'self-seeking, self-opinionated rogues' in April 2002

Political offices
Preceded by Fred Smithies	General Secretary of NASUWT 1990–2002	Succeeded by Chris Keates
Preceded by Tony Young	President of the Trades Union Congress 2003	Succeeded by Roger Lyons

Persondata
Name	De Gruchy, Nigel
Alternative names
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Date of birth	28 January 1943
Place of birth
Date of death
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