BBC presenter Edward Adoo’s tribute to ex headteacher Philip Lawrence knifed to death protecting pupil

Headteacher Philip Lawrence presents  Edward Adoo with his national record of achievement n 1995. Mr Lawrence  was killed only months later
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A BBC presenter today paid tribute to his former headteacher Philip Lawrence 25 years after he was stabbed to death protecting a pupil outside school.  

Edward Adoo, 41, says he “will never stop thinking” of Mr Lawrence whose killing impacted “the whole of London”.  

His widow Frances recently thanked Mr Adoo for championing his legacy.  

He told the Standard: “It’s always an honour to talk to her and let her know that we won’t forget him.”  

Mr Lawrence, 48, died from a single stab wound to the heart at the gates of St George’s RC school in Maida Vale after trying to save a pupil, 13, who was being attacked on December 8, 1995.  

His then-15-year-old killer, Learco Chindamo, was sentenced to life before being freed on parole in 2010. Chindamo was recalled later the same year then released again in 2014.  

Mr Adoo has made a BBC Radio 4 documentary where he reunites former school friends to reminisce about why Mr Lawrence was adored.  

Philip Lawrence (left), the headmaster who was brutally murdered by Learco Chindamo (right), outside his school as he defended a pupil

He also talks to politicians and knife crime campaigners to ask whether subsequent initiatives to reduce knife crime became lost opportunities.  

Mr Adoo started his career journey by asking the father-of four if he could launch a school radio station like one he’d seen on Neighbours. Mr Lawrence stunned him by offering his office to be used every lunch for broadcasts of GFM.

Mr Adoo added: “Some of the staff were against it. One teacher threatened to go on strike.  

“But Mr Lawrence wanted to help the community and make a difference. Ultimately, that ethos cost him his life.”

Mr Adoo added: “The day Mr Lawrence died was a glass-shattering moment. Everyone was in shock.  

“Knife crime wasn’t on our radar so what happened was catastrophic and opened our eyes to what some elements of street culture had become.” In the programme, Mr Adoo’s classmate Amanda Okoye said of the tragedy: “It was just the trauma. It was just so intense because he was a good man.”

Death of a Headmaster is on Radio 4 Tuesday December 8 at 8pm.  

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