Tributes are pouring in following the death of a hugely popular former teacher.

John Burnage, who for decades taught PE and maths at Kent College in Canterbury, has sadly died at the age of 63 following a battle with cancer.

News of his death has prompted an outpouring of grief from former colleagues and pupils, who have described him as an "absolute legend" and "one of a kind".

In a post on its Facebook page, Kent College paid tribute to Mr Burnage as "a passionate sportsman and exceptional teacher".

"Patient and understanding with a great warmth and sense of humour, John was well respected and enormously liked by students and staff," it said.

"He positively influenced the lives of many young people and he will be remembered with great fondness."

Kent College headmaster Dr David Lamper told how Mr Burnage was born and raised in a mining village near Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Born into a family of coal miners, he regarded himself as "a very proud Yorkshireman", and was passionate about rugby.

Dr Lamper said: "He had a lifetime of playing rugby and he coached and selected for the England U-16 team.

"His own involvement in sport saw him represent both Leeds University and Loughborough University prior to playing professionally for Leeds RLFC.

"One of his fondest memories was the time he played for the Yorkshire U-18 rugby team in Pontypridd Wales alongside his identical twin brother against the Welsh team with 10,000 spectators."

Mr Burnage enjoyed many other sports, including cricket and golf, and also loved travelling.

In 1995, he moved south with his wife, Hilary, and sons Andrew and Christopher, to take up the post of head of boys’ PE and games at Kent College - an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Canterbury.

There, his expertise and interest in cricket and rugby helped several pupils "develop to the top level as international sports players and many more to retain a lifelong love of sport".

In his 23-year career at the school, he took on a number of other roles that saw him make an impact on thousands of young lives.

In 1996, he and his wife became house parents, helping to care for boarding pupils. He later became head of PE and games for all students, then became head of middle school, and later head of sixth form and careers.

Mr Burnage was also a much-loved maths teacher, and in 2016 joined the school's senior management, where he led the pastoral team.

Mr Burnage, who lived in Chestfield, Whitstable, retired in 2018.

He sadly died on June 11.

Dr Lamper said: "Generations of young Canterburians have cause to thank John for his guidance and support.

"John's responsibilities also guided students as they moved on from Kent College through his work as careers advisor and also in preparing UCAS and other references for higher education.

"Amongst John’s excellent qualities was his easy relationship with the young people in his care which may well have come from a career in coaching rather than directing.

"His patience with our students and his obvious interest in them was greatly valued. The KC community will miss him greatly."

News of Mr Burnage's death has sparked a flood of tributes.

On Kent College's Facebook page, Jaz Khan wrote: "Heartbreaking loss of an incredible man who always had a positive outlook and encouraged his students with a witty yet compassionate demeanour.

"He really was a very special soul who helped me through many of life's hurdles. We are all so lucky to have known him."

Former pupil Jerome Woolley added: "John Burnage was genuinely one of the best of us and someone that nobody I ever encountered had a bad word to say about.

"Greatly supportive and with a wicked sense of humour, like many pupils past and present I have very fond memories of John. For me his rugby sessions will always remain vivid memories.

"John, we were fortunate to have you as an influence and you really were one of a kind."

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