Tributes have poured in for a man considered a passionate pioneer in the education sector after he was hit by a motorbike in Oldham.

Police were called to reports of a crash involving a pedestrian and a motorbike on Ripponden Road in Sholver at around 4pm on Saturday, May 18.

A man in his 70s was pronounced dead at the scene while another man in his 20s was taken to hospital with "life-threatening injuries".

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The man who has died has now been named locally as Tim Scratcherd, a passionate educator who "gave generously" of his expertise.

Mark Chambers, Chief Operating Officer of an education technology consulting company and Emmanuel Schools Foundation colleague, has known Tim personally and professionally for more than 30 years, having met in the 1990s in York before hiring him to work in schools in Bradford.

Paying tribute to his friend, "colleague, advisor and mentor", Mark said: "Tim was a great guy who gave generously of his expertise and was unswerving in his loyalty.

"Passionate about learning, perceptive about ways of learning and committed to innovation, and so much more.

"Tim worked on curriculum development and innovation at a National level providing advice, and sometimes challenge, to the DFE, at a regional level providing support to Local Authorities in York, Bradford and London and, at a local level working with schools to excite and enthuse young people with a love of learning and all things IT."

He continued: "Tim worked successfully with young people from five to 19, led international study visits for students and demonstrated his excellent teaching and learning capabilities as he coached and mentored teachers in their careers.

"Yet, Tim was never too busy to pause and help someone who needed him.

"He was thoughtful in the detail and, supported by his business partner, Julie Frankland, made sure that friends and colleagues remembered that it was important to enjoy life to the fullest.

"He was definitely an EdTech, teaching and learning pioneer; the first being the tool he used in advancing teaching and learning. 

"Tim leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who were grateful to have known Tim many of whom will seek to fill that hole by emulating what he taught and shared with us."

Mark also sent his "thoughts and prayers" to Tim's family members.

Other friends posting their thoughts on social media include Martin Bailey who described Tim as "one of the real good guys of education and a real champion of EdTech".

Martin added: "On a personal level, he was a huge champion of myself and of Animate 2 Educate when I was first starting out and I have so much to thank him for.

"It was Tim who put me forward to be on NAACE board of management and who facilitated my first experience of presenting at BETT and his guidance and wisdom was invaluable and hugely appreciated.


"As I now take on the role of mentor to the next generation of EdTech pioneers, I hope than I can do even half the job which Tim did for myself.

"RIP Tim, I’ll forever be grateful."

Others described him as a "wonderful man" with a "wicked sense of humour".

A spokesperson for Rochdale Coroner's Court confirmed the late Timothy Scractherd has been referred to the Coroner's Office and that no inquest date has been set at present.

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