Teachers at the Corsham School have paid tribute to former assistant headteacher John Ridler who died on Saturday after a battle with cancer at the age of 58.

Mr Ridler’s colleagues fondly remembered him as a kind, friendly character who was ready to help both his students and colleagues.

Assistant headteacher Marcus Chapman had seen Mr Ridler regularly during the year that he was ill.

He said: "John was an assistant headteacher up until the end of 2007 when he became ill and before that he was an emotional behavioural difficulties co-ordinator and therefore was extremely helpful to youngsters who had problems.

"He was very caring and committed to the needs of youngsters particularly at bettering their self esteem and helping them take responsibility of what they are and what they do."

Photography and art teacher, Katrina Shillaker, of Neston, said: “It was quite a shock when he fell ill with a virus around Christmas 2007 and then we got the news that he had cancer, which affected his health pretty rapidly.

“He was only in his 50s but looking at him you would have thought he was younger as he was so spritely and energetic.

“He was always very jolly and smiley and he was really good with special needs pupils and those with problems and they all had a lot of time for him.”

His funeral will be held on Monday, April 20 at 1.45pm at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington.

Donations can be made Dorothy House Hospice in Winsley, which helped Mr Ridler during his illness.

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