Barbara Mackereth, an assistant headteacher at the John of Gaunt School, Trowbridge, died on March 21, aged 56.

Barbara joined the school in 1992 when she returned from a period in Canada with her family. She started as a teacher of PE and Special Needs and her interest in psychology and sociology spawned a passion for developing those pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

In January 1997 Barbara became a Head of Year and in this role, she gave her time and expertise to those pupils who found aspects of their school life difficult. Barbara joined the senior leadership team of John of Gaunt in 2002 and she developed her role as coach to staff and to pupils, as a facilitator of good classroom practice and mentor to young teachers as they joined the school.

Her role as professional development co-ordinator meant that her work impacted on all staff. Barbara's professional role extended beyond John of Gaunt; she was one of the first in the county to work on issues of pupil inclusion.

Barbara was a school governor for many years and also a parent with her sons Robert and Steven and daughter attending the school. Her daughter, Joanne, an ex-pupil, gained a first class degree in Psychology from the University of Warwick her graduation was a proud occasion for Barbara and the family.

Jo's achievement came at a point when Barbara had been experiencing a second phase of intensive chemotherapy and yet was still managing to work full time.

Susan Busby, of the school, said: "One of Barbara's special gifts was that whether you were a pupil, a parent or a colleague, you always felt that here was a person who was giving you 100 per cent of themselves when they were with you. Barbara was a role model for all of us; a quite extraordinary person who we admired and miss."

Friends, family, colleagues and pupils attended a service of celebration. The school sixth form singers, Vivace, sung an arrangement of Irish blessings and daughter Joanne read a poem. Two close friends gave a moving testimony to their friendship with Barbara.

The school is now considering a lasting tribute to her.