Jack Swatman from North Ferriby attended Hymers Sixth Form between 2013 and 2015.

Having studied at South Hunsley School through Years 11 to 12, Jack decided to set himself a challenge and joined Hymers College Sixth Form in 2013 to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. He was made to feel welcome and quickly settled in to the new environment. 

Whilst at Hymers he greatly enjoyed a week long sailing trip to Norway on the Hull-based ‘’CatZero’’ yacht – he enjoyed the journey out to Norway as it was stormy and was also able to visit the ‘Pulpit Rock’ where he sat with his legs dangling over the near 2000 foot vertical drop into the Fjord below. He also visited CERN (the underground atomic particle accelerator in Switzerland) as part of the Physics group. In order to commute to Hymers, he bought a 125cc KTM Duke motorcycle and took his full test so he didn’t need L plates. He became a keen motorcyclist, a passion that remained throughout his life. 

Whilst at Hymers he suffered from poor health, after numerous tests he was diagnosed with chronic Crohns disease, however, he stoically accepted the diagnosis and carried on with his studies. Post A Levels he took a year out to regain his strength and then entered Oxford Brookes to study Engineering where he met his girlfriend, Natalie. Nat is from Hong Kong and felt a long way from home at times and we think Jack found his ‘soulmate’.

Throughout this time he maintained his love of motorcycling, constantly fettling and adjusting his Triumph Street Triple bike. He took his full size bike test and then his motorcycle ‘race licence’ which allowed him to take part in track days at various tracks, especially Cadwell Park near Louth (which is known as the mini Nurburgring and is a real challenge. He also made numerous motorcycle trips to the ‘green hell’ of the Nurburgring and took great pleasure in taming it. Whilst at Oxford Brookes, he attained holiday work carrying out night time railway engineering possession support work for a company called Vital on behalf of Network Rail. He enjoyed the job, the responsibility of doing things properly, the nocturnal nature suited him. Despite being only casual labour and only available during University holidays he took further training and was promoted to PICOP (person in charge of possession). Unfortunately, his Crohns flared up during his final year at Brookes and he was unable to complete the degree, however, with support he started to recover and got his old sparkle and cutting wit back - something his Sixth Form colleagues would likely remember.

Having regained his health, Jack was able to transfer his studies to Hull University to complete his degree. He was studying for his final exams and hoping to do well enough to transition to the Masters degree course next year and was looking forward to Nat starting a job at Princess Diana Hospital in Grimsby so they could be close to each other whilst they formulated their future plans.

Sadly, on 1 June after a day revising for University exams, he announced he was heading out for a ride on his motorcycle to clear his head. We shouted the usual ‘go steady’ type instructions and watched as he rode off down the road, correctly attired in boots and leathers, obviously happy and at peace with the world.

The last photograph he took was an picture of a large blue ‘Slushie’ on Hornsea seafront, with the North Sea looking like the Mediterranean in the background, which he sent to girlfriend Nat back at her family home in Hong Kong. Tragically, whilst riding home, he left the road and in the ensuing impact, suffered catastrophic brain damage from which he never recovered.

Jack was a good rider and had ridden thousands of miles both in the UK and across Europe. We take some consolation knowing that he was doing something he loved and that he knew he was loved and valued by his family, his girlfriend Natalie, her family and by his wider circle of friends, work colleagues and the wider motorcycling community.