We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our lovely members, Matthew Hake.
Matthew was a gentle, generous, and quietly reassuring presence within our community. After more than 30 years in education, he brought a rare blend of wisdom, warmth, and authenticity to his work at JLT Maths Tutoring. He cared deeply about helping learners grow in confidence, and he approached his tutoring with the same patience, humour, and compassion that shaped his long career in schools. Many tutors who met him speak about the calm, thoughtful way he supported others and how freely he shared what he had learned.
Matthew also made a lasting contribution at this year’s National Tutors’ Conference, where he delivered his session “I’m New, What Do I Do?”. His honesty, openness, and down-to-earth advice resonated powerfully with delegates. Feedback described him as encouraging, engaging, reassuring, and easy to listen to. New tutors particularly valued the clarity and confidence he offered, and several shared how he stayed behind after his session to answer questions and give guidance with genuine kindness.
The impact of that session, and the conversations that followed, reflected exactly who Matthew was. He wanted others to feel supported. He wanted new tutors to know they could do this. And he gave his time freely to help them believe it.
Matthew will be deeply missed within our community. His generosity, his encouragement, and the steady way he lifted others up have left a mark that will not be forgotten.
If you would like to share a tribute, leave a message for his family, or upload photographs of you together, you can do so here: https://matthewhake.muchloved.com/
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all the learners he supported with such dedication.