'He cared so much about his pupils': Parents pay tribute to head teacher killed in an 'accident' on holiday with friends in France and say he 'had such a lovely kind heart and would help anyone'

• Simon Gibbs was the Principal of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, Essex

Parents have paid tribute to a ‘brilliant’ headteacher who tragically passed away while on holiday in France, who was described as a man with ‘a lovely kind heart and would help anyone.’

Simon Gibbs, the Principal of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, Essex, tragically died in an ‘accident’ while on a holiday with friends across the Channel and was described as a  ‘much-loved colleague’ with a passion for teaching by his school.

Since his passing, a spokesperson for the FCDO has confirmed his death and said British authorities are in contact with local officials to ascertain further details of his death and support his family.

Reacting to the tragic news, many parents have taken to social media to commemorate his memory.

‘Mr Gibbs was a fantastic teacher at new Rickstones academy and always helped with all my children,’ one user wrote on Facebook.

Simon Gibbs, the Principal of New Rickstones Academy in Witham, Essex, reportedly died in an accident while on a holiday with friends across the Channel

New Rickstones academy in Essex where Mr Gibbs was the headteacher

‘He was the person to go to and always got back to you straight away to help. I was only just speaking to him last week about helping one of my daughters.

‘He had such a lovely kind heart and would help anyone,’ she said.

‘My girls are gutted and so are we. He was an amazing teacher and Head Teacher,’ another wrote.

‘He cared so much about his pupils. Sending hugs to his family and colleagues at this hard time.’

READ MORE: Tragedy as ‘brilliant’ head teacher of Essex school is killed in an ‘accident’ while on holiday in France with friends

And another user said: ‘Such devastating news. An amazing head teacher, always took time to reply to emails straight away. Excellent with the pupils, he will be greatly missed by them all, past and present.’

Regional education director for the Academies Enterprise Trust Johanna Thompson penned a heartfelt letter to staff and parents of the school, informing them of Mr Gibbs’ passing.

‘I am very sorry to be writing with the tragic news Simon Gibbs, our principal, died over the weekend,’ the letter, which has been circulated on social media, read.

‘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.’

‘Our staff have been informed today and we wanted to make sure you are aware so that you had the opportunity to speak to your child tonight.

‘Devastating news like this will take time for everyone to process and come to terms with and our priority is to make sure that students and staff have the support available to help us all through this time.

‘Simon was a much-loved colleague and brilliant headteacher and we will miss him enormously,’ her letter continued.

‘He will be remembered for his integrity and passion for teaching, as well as his dedication to the community of New Rickstones.

‘As we come through the next days and weeks, we will find the right way to remember him at New Rickstones and to celebrate his commitment to this community,’ the letter concluded.

Mr Gibbs graduated from Cardiff University with a Masters degree in financial economics in 2004, before making the transition to teaching with a PGCE qualification.

He went on to become Head of Mathematics at Maltings Academy, another secondary school in Witham, before moving to New Rickstones in 2018.

He had been working at New Rickstones Academy for more than six years before his untimely death, becoming principal of the school in September 2021.

‘Simon was a much-loved colleague and brilliant headteacher and we will miss him enormously,’ a letter to staff and parents read

Tributes for the late teacher poured in on social media in the wake of his passing.

‘Mr Gibbs was a fantastic teacher at new Rickstones academy and always helped with all my children,’ one user wrote on Facebook.

‘He was the person to go to and always got back to you straight away to help. I was only just speaking to him last week about helping one of my daughters.

‘He had such a lovely kind heart and would help anyone,’ she said.

‘My girls are gutted and so are we. He was an amazing teacher and Head Teacher,’ another wrote.

‘He cared so much about his pupils. Sending hugs to his family and colleagues at this hard time.’

And another user said: ‘Such devastating news. An amazing head teacher, always took time to reply to emails straight away. Excellent with the pupils, he will be greatly missed by them all, past and present.

‘Thinking of his family and the staff at NRA. Rest easy Mr Gibbs.’

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