Janice MacTaggart

Janice MacTaggart was born on 1st January 1954. She attended Maidstone Girls Tech., followed by teacher training college where her subjects were piano and voice. Janice went on to teach mainly in secondary schools in London. In 1981 Janice moved from Hampstead to Leytonstone and at Hackney Free School she became responsible for ‘English as a second language’. She enjoyed helping disadvantaged students, starting their lives in the UK. Her passion for social justice intertwined with her social life and her cultural interests, which she enjoyed with many friends and her long-term partner Gerry. In the 1980s, Janice attended Socialist Workers Party (SWP) meetings, Anti-Nazi League demonstrations and Rock against Racism rallies in Victoria Park. She loved art, and had a very eclectic musical taste, favouring anti-establishment, avant-garde artists. After her retirement from teaching she continued to enjoy many pursuits including travel to Europe and looking after her garden.