champion, is being buoyed by donations from “everyday classroom teachers”, according to organisers.

Dozens of teachers have contributed to the fund, which will provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Professor Wragg’s home city of Sheffield.

Teachers have also lined up to pay tribute to the educationist, who penned hundreds of columns and articles during his 25 years as a TES contributor.

One teacher from Dorset with 30 years’ experience, who made a donation, said: “By the force and coherence of his arguments and humanity, Ted Wragg’s was a voice that spoke to all classroom teachers.” In a letter accompanying another donation, a Luton teacher said: “When I was a knackered teacher, Fridays were made all the more glorious by Ted’s astute, sometimes hilarious, and always accurate observations about the loony left and right associated with our profession.”

The memorial fund, set up after Professor Wragg’s death last November, will fund projects including college and university bursaries. The National Union of Teachers has given pound;1,000 and pound;500 came from the British Educational Research Association, of which Professor Wragg was a former president. However, organisers have called for more backers ahead of a meeting later in July with his widow, Judith, when the fund will be distributed.

Fred Jarvis, a former general secretary of the NUT who is helping to co-ordinate the fund, said: “I hope organisations and all those who appreciated Ted’s tremendous efforts would consider making a donation.”

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the NUT, said: “Ted Wragg was one of the most inspirational people in education. State education has lost a great champion and we want his memory to inspire others.”

Donations to the Ted Wragg memorial fund should be sent to: John Bigley, Howden House,1 Union Street, Sheffield, S1 2SH