The UK education community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Religious Education teacher and consultant Dawn Cox, who has tragically passed away following a serious car accident.
Dawn was widely admired for her fierce passion for Religious Education (RE), her boundless curiosity, and her unwavering commitment to teaching. News of her death has sent shockwaves through the RE world, where she was deeply respected as a thought leader, collaborator, and friend.
Educator Marina Robb paid an emotional tribute to her late colleague and friend, writing, “Utterly shocked and heartbroken to hear that my friend and fellow RE teacher Dawn Cox has died following a serious car accident. I was hoping that somehow she would pull through. She had so many plans for adventures new.”
Marina fondly recalled their time as teammates on the StrictlyRE quiz, joking, “Who else would know the exact number of Rastafarians in Plymouth?” She also shared memories of their shared travels exploring religious sites and art, including a planned trip to Istanbul and Dawn’s excitement for an upcoming trip to Rhodes to observe Orthodox Easter.
“She was the biggest RE nerd I knew—curious, inquiring, always asking questions and exploring ideas,” Marina wrote. “So many people in RE will feel this loss.”
Earlier, a fundraising campaign had been set up in hopes of supporting Dawn’s family while she was hospitalized, with donors contributing to help with food, home help, and pet care during the difficult time. The campaign reflected the wide affection and support Dawn inspired throughout the RE community.
Dawn’s impact extended well beyond the classroom. Culham St Gabriel’s, where she served as a long-standing consultant, shared their grief in a heartfelt statement:
“We are devastated by the news that our wonderful friend and colleague Dawn Cox has died. Dawn was for many years a consultant with Culham St Gabriel’s, overseeing our social media as well as supporting other aspects of our work including RE:ONLINE. Dawn’s love of the classroom and ensuring research applied to her day to day work was inspiring. She was never afraid to ask the challenging questions, pushing our thinking on and encouraging careful reasoning and creativity as a result. We will miss her greatly.”
Educators across the country echoed the sentiment, remembering Dawn as a dedicated, passionate, and highly skilled teacher who made a lasting mark on Religious Education in the UK.
“She was one of the best,” one teacher posted online. “Always striving for excellence, always putting students and learning first.”
The details of the car accident have not yet been made public, but the suddenness of Dawn’s passing has left colleagues, friends, and students in deep sorrow.
Dawn Cox’s legacy will live on through her work, her influence on colleagues, and the many lives she touched through her teaching and advocacy for RE.
Rest in peace, Dawn. Your voice, energy, and knowledge will not be forgotten.
| Name | Dawn Cox |
|---|---|
| Profession | Religious Education Teacher, Consultant |
| Affiliations | Culham St Gabriel’s, RE:ONLINE |
| Cause of Death | Serious car accident |
| Legacy | Passionate educator, RE advocate, mentor, and community pillar |
Q: What happened to Dawn Cox?
A: Dawn Cox tragically passed away following a serious car accident. The exact details of the accident have not been disclosed.
Q: How has the community responded?
A: The RE and wider education community have expressed deep sadness and shock, sharing tributes and memories of her impactful work.
Q: Is there a way to support Dawn’s family?
A: A JustGiving fundraiser was created to support Dawn’s family during her hospitalization. Donations helped ease their burden, and messages of support continue to pour in.