Heartfelt tributes have been paid in memory of a former deputy head teacher at Walmer School, who has died aged 65.

ICT teacher Paul Ridings was described as one of the very best appointments ever to be made at the school by former head teacher Roger Cross, who praised the “charming, selfless and positive contributions” he made.

Mr Ridings, of Dover Road, Walmer, took on the deputy headship in 1989, having moved from Northfleet School for Boys near Gravesend.

Mr Cross said almost straight away he had to respond to the Royal Marines tragedy and how it affected the pupils after the IRA detonated its bomb in Deal Barracks on September 22, 1989.

Soon after, the school had a disaster of its own to contend with when its buildings were almost totally destroyed by fire.

“He had always been a first-class teacher, displaying an excellent, authoritative but kind approach to the youngsters" - Roger Cross former head teacher

Mr Cross recalled Mr Ridings’s “magnificent work” in arranging the repairs to Castlemount School in Dover to get it up to scratch so the Walmer pupils could continue their lessons while the refurbishment of the Salisbury Road school was carried out.

Mr Cross said: “He had always been a first-class teacher, displaying an excellent, authoritative but kind approach to the youngsters. His valuable efforts to encourage a caring and sociable culture among the staff was greatly appreciated and his teamwork with staff and governors was impeccable.

“He was a massive support to me. I was fortunate to have had his support for more than 20 years.”

Mr Ridings was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. His father was an officer in the Parachute Regiment and his mother a nurse. He and his brother Mark attended military boarding schools, travelling frequently and seeing wondrous places around the world in his school holidays.

He trained at Bognor Regis Teacher Training College and started his career as a teacher of PE and geography at Northfleet School for Boys, during which time he played for Gravesend Rugby Club. It was while working at the school that he met his lifelong love, wife Rosalie.

When he started at Walmer he taught IT, business studies and sociology.

After his retirement in 2006, he enjoyed spending family time with Rosalie, their son Alex, daughter Catherine and grandsons Edward, five, Thomas, two, and Joseph, four months.

Mr Ridings died at Pilgrims Hospice, Margate, on Friday after a long battle with cancer.

Mr Ridings’ wife said: “The loss of Paul is heartbreaking. Paul was a loving husband to me and a supportive and fantastic father to his children.

“After retirement Paul struggled with his health, but was courageous throughout, never complaining. He was a doting Pops to his grandchildren and we all loved him so very much.

“We have been so grateful for all the kind thoughts everybody has sent.”

The funeral will be held on Thursday, November 26, from 10.40am at Barham Crematorium. All are welcome. Family flowers only and donations, if wished, can be made to Pilgrims Hospice, Margate, via J. Dilnot Smith and Son, 184 Gladstone Road, Walmer. Telephone 01304 380914.