The principal of the new Folkestone Academy has died.

John Patterson passed away on Sunday following a short illness. Staff and pupils were told today, with letters sent home to parents at the end of the day.

Mr Patterson had been off work since just before Easter. He leaves a widow and two children.

The Academy opened in 2007 and replaced the former Channel School in Park Farm Road. Mr Patterson was appointed 18 months before the Academy opened to help with the setting up of the school, a £40m project.

Mr Patterson had more than 30 years teaching experience. Previously he was head of Bingley Grammar School, Yorkshire, a comprehensive for 1,900 pupils.

The popularity of the Academy, which has more than 1,000 pupils, far exceeded expectations with the school heavily over subscribed for Year 7 pupils wanting to start there this September.

In a very short time Mr Patterson established a regime of discipline and rules. In its first term there were more than 100 fixed term exclusions handed out.

Vice-principal Louise McGowan has been running the school since Easter.