News Funeral of


college head STUDENTS from Maidstone’s MidKent College were among the hundredswho paid their re- spects to former principal Sue McLeod, in a memorial service at Rochester Cathedral. Sue was diagnosed with a


brain tumour in June, and died in hospital a month later, aged 53.


The memorial servicewas led


by The Dean of Rochester, the Very Reverend Dr Mark Beach, who earlier in the day had over- seen the funeral service at Blue Bell Hill Crematorium. The college’s chief executive, Stephen Grix, said: “The further education sector has lost a champion, MidKent College has lost an inspirational princi- pal and many of us have lost a dear friend.” Sue’s partner and daughter


also paid moving tributes to the former travel and tourism lec- turer, who became the college’s first female principal since it began more than 100 years ago. Vice principal Simon Cook


has been appointed acting prin- cipal by the college’s governing body.


downsmail.co.uk


Schools mourn loss of ‘inspirational’ teacher


PUPILS have returned to school in Allington with heavy hearts, fol- lowing the death of head teacher Mark Geadah, two weeks before the start of term. Mr Geadah (43) was head of Allington Primary School and was also made executive head of Ayles- ford Primary School last year. His body was found by his wife,


Lesley, in the summer house at their home in Beech Drive, Allington, on August 24. The popular teacher, who was said to be preparing to take on even more schools, was found hanged. He also leaves two sons. An inquest was opened into his


death, at which coroner’s officer Linda Moore said: “He had been treated by his GP for depression for several months, due to pressure of work.” A Facebook page set up in his memory had 400 tributes from pupils, teachers and friends andwas continuing to attract posts as the Downs Mail went to press. Many described him as “inspirational”


and a “wonderful teacher”. One comment reads: “He was a


head teacher you could talk to about anything. It’s terrible that the thing hewas so good at led him to this.” Aylesford


governor and chief executive officer of Val- ley Invicta Academies Trust Dr Philip


Limbert said Mr Geadah’s death had left a great void in the lives of all those who worked alongside him. He added: “Mark was a national


leader of education, a role which re- quires gifted headteachers to share their expertise with other schools. “Last year, he worked as head- teacher of Allington and Aylesford primary schools andAylesford, part of the Valley Invicta Academies Trust, made excellent progress. “He will be greatly missed as a colleague and a friend and by the


children for whose education he cared so passionately.” In the nine years he was head, Allington Primary was twice rated outstanding by Ofsted Ward councillor Dan Daley said:


“All who knew Mark will recognise the desperate loss of a truly inspira- tional teacher – one who engaged with his pupils and whose work was rewarded by the astonishing year-on-year results of this delight- ful scene of early years’ learning.” MrGeadah had previously taught


at Roseacre Junior School in Bearsted. Former pupil Jocelyn Medhurst wrote on Facebook: “He gotmeinterested in history when he showed us a photo album from his trip to Egypt whichwe all looked at in awe. I also remember he brought a parrot into school! I amso sad he’s passed away so young.” Concerns were expressed on the


site about the pressures of school life which he may have faced Afull inquest will be held by Mid


Kent and Maidstone Coroner Patri- cia Harding on November 11.


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