Floral tributes left in the grounds of the school

TRIBUTES have been paid to a teacher at a Royston school who died suddenly of a brain tumour.

Paul Bushell, 42, taught English at the Meridian School and headteacher Michael Firth said he was not aware he was ill, telling the Crow he could not remember him having a day off sick in four years.

He said: “He was a good colleague with a dry wit and a duty of care for his students who he would go the extra mile for. It’s a real blow, not only to the staff but to the students as well.

“I was at home when I was called... there was no sign of him being unwell and therefore I had not prepared for this, it was completely out of the blue.

“I think my colleagues would all agree that during our twice weekly staff briefings we gave out notices and he would often have us in floods of laughter because of some dry comment he would make. He was very good for staff morale.”

His body was discovered on July 30 at his Cambridge home and it is not known when he died.

Floral tributes were laid at a tree in the school’s grounds with pupils praising Mr Bushell’s sense of humour and dedication.

A student, Chris, wrote: “You were the greatest teacher I ever had and were a huge laugh. There’s not enough space to write what I think.”

Amy Johnson labelled him an “inspiration” and an “amazing teacher” as well as joking he would have “mocked” her for crying.

Mr Bushell was originally from Surrey and had studied a variety of subjects at Leeds University – eventually achieving a masters – and worked as a chef before becoming a teacher.

The school will arrange a memorial but Dr Firth told the Crow it is too early to say what form this will take.

Mr Bushell was unmarried and had no children.

He was buried on Tuesday in Woking.