Tributes have been paid to a “brilliant headteacher” who has died while on a holiday in France with friends.
News of the sudden death of Simon Gibbs, principal of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, Essex, was shared with parents on Monday.
The headteacher died in an “accident” on Saturday evening, wrote Johanna Thompson, the academy’s regional education director, who described him as a “much-loved colleague”.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting Mr Gibbs’ family while working with local authorities.
In her letter to parents, Ms Thompson wrote: “I am very sorry to be writing with the tragic news Simon Gibbs, our principal, died over the weekend.
“From what we understand there was an accident on Saturday evening whilst Simon was away for the weekend with some friends in France.
“This is obviously devastating news, and our immediate thoughts are with Simon’s family at this impossible time.”
She added: “Simon was a much-loved colleague and brilliant headteacher and we will miss him enormously.
