1933-2024

Educator Joseph Sinclair Richards J.P

Joseph Sinclair Richards was born in January 1933 son of Samuel Richards and Susan Richards (Basden). He came from a large family of nine siblings. His early education was at Central School and he moved on to higher education at the Berkeley Institute. He completed teacher’s training certification at Goldsmith’s College University of London (UK), and earned a Bachelors of Arts from Queens University Canada, and his Masters of Education from the University of Toronto Canada.

Sinclair traversed Continents to gain the qualifications, experience and exposure that laid the foundation for the numerous roles he would eventually hold within Bermuda’s Education System. He started his career as an educator in 1950 as a teacher at Harrington Sound Primary School. He than moved on to his old Alma Mater Central School (Victor Scott) and later to Purvis Primary School where he held his first leadership position as Deputy Head.

In September 1963 he was appointed Principal of West End Primary School, a position he held until December 1970. In January 1971 he was appointed as an Education Officer and remained in that post until March 2, 1976. at which time he assumed the position of Chief Education Officer the second person to do so in the history of Bermuda. He held this position until he retired in January 1988.

Sinclair believed that teachers must lead with integrity and authority and be held accountable, “taking action is imperative for school improvement” and that high expectations and standards should not be comprised.”

He was married to Gilda Richards (Burrows) and the proud parents of four children, and the father-in-law to Kalmar Richards who is also serving in the educational field. Sinclair was made an honoury fellow of the Bermuda College in 1997. He was a staunch member of the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church and served on various boards.

Joseph Sinclair Richards left us for his greatest reward January 2024.

Researched Joy Wilson-Tucker Historian