Dawn Cox Manningtree England Death: t is with broken hearts and deep sorrow that we share the devastating news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dawn Cox. For many years, Dawn was a vital part of the Culham St Gabriel’s family—a trusted consultant, an insightful educator, a generous mentor, and, above all, a cherished friend. Her contributions to our team and to the wider Religious Education (RE) community were profound, and her absence will be felt deeply and widely.
Dawn passed away after a life filled with passion, purpose, and an unwavering dedication to education. She brought energy, curiosity, and brilliance to everything she did. Her sudden loss has left a void in our hearts, but we take comfort in knowing how many lives she touched through her wisdom, kindness, and commitment to excellence.
Dawn was an exceptional teacher and leader who believed that education was not just about transmitting knowledge but about shaping minds and encouraging the thoughtful engagement of young people. Her love of the classroom was undeniable. She never lost sight of the real-world context in which education happens—the complex, dynamic, and deeply human space of the classroom. Her work was always rooted in the lived experience of teaching and learning.
At Culham St Gabriel’s, Dawn served as a consultant and guided our social media presence with insight, integrity, and innovation. But her role extended far beyond tweets and posts—she was a thought partner, a creative spark, and a voice of both challenge and encouragement. She helped shape many of our initiatives, including RE:ONLINE, where her contributions were critical in making research and resources accessible and relevant for educators on the ground.
Dawn believed deeply that research should not live in ivory towers—it should live and breathe in classrooms, in planning meetings, in conversations between colleagues, and in the minds of students. She championed the idea that theory and practice are not opposing forces but partners in the pursuit of excellent education.
One of Dawn’s most remarkable qualities was her willingness to ask the difficult questions. She never shied away from a robust debate or from challenging assumptions—whether in curriculum design, pedagogy, or educational policy. But her questions were never antagonistic; they were rooted in care. Care for the subject. Care for her colleagues. Care for students.
Her ability to challenge thinking while nurturing dialogue was part of what made her so effective and so respected. Dawn encouraged careful reasoning and demanded intellectual honesty, while also offering her own ideas with clarity and humility. She made us better. She pushed us further. She reminded us not to settle for easy answers when the real work of education lies in the complexities.
As much as she was an educational force, Dawn was also a woman of warmth and heart. She brought humor into her work, never taking herself too seriously, but always taking her responsibilities with great seriousness. She offered support freely—whether it was helping a colleague untangle a tricky piece of curriculum or mentoring a new teacher trying to find their footing.
She was also wonderfully collaborative. She listened deeply, asked wise questions, and was always generous with her time and knowledge. Her presence at our meetings was one we all came to rely on, not only for her insight but for her steadiness and genuine care.
Many of us recall fondly the countless online conversations, blog reflections, and project discussions where Dawn’s thoughtful contributions brought clarity and sparked new ideas. She brought people together. She created spaces where learning and thinking could thrive.
Dawn was a passionate and articulate advocate for Religious Education. She believed in the subject’s potential to foster understanding, critical thinking, and informed citizenship. Her vision of RE was intellectually rigorous, socially relevant, and grounded in the real experiences of young people navigating an increasingly complex world.
She wanted RE to matter—to be taken seriously, and to be taught with integrity. And she worked tirelessly to make that happen. Her influence on RE:ONLINE and other initiatives has helped shape the way RE is perceived and practiced across the UK and beyond. She leaves behind a legacy not just of resources and projects, but of changed minds and inspired educators.
Dawn’s death is an immeasurable loss. For her family, her friends, her colleagues, and for the countless teachers and students whose lives she influenced, her passing has left a silence that words struggle to fill. And yet, even in our grief, we find comfort in remembering the person she was—the laughter she shared, the truths she stood by, the courage she showed.
To Dawn’s family: please know how deeply she was loved and admired by all of us. She often spoke with great affection and pride about her personal life, and her love for her family was a defining part of who she was. We share in your sorrow and extend our heartfelt condolences. Your loss is our loss.
We will remember her as a friend who made us laugh, a mentor who made us think, and a colleague who made us better. The values she lived by—honesty, curiosity, compassion, and courage—will continue to inspire us.
Plans for a memorial will be shared in due course, where we will gather to celebrate Dawn’s life, her contributions, and the profound impact she had on all of us. We invite the RE community and beyond to join us in remembering her—not just in ceremony, but in continued dedication to the causes she championed.
Let us honor Dawn Cox by carrying forward her passion, her questions, her clarity, and her joy. Let us continue her work with the same integrity and heart that she so beautifully modeled.
Rest peacefully, Dawn. You will always be with us—in our classrooms, in our conversations, and in our hearts.
