A school devastated by the death of one of its teacher earlier this year is raising money to create an outdoor reading garden in his memory.

Staff at Deanwood Primary School in Long Catlis Road, Rainham, are hoping to carry out the long-term wish of assisant head Ollie Slack whose dream was to instil a love of reading in his pupils and build the outdoor reading space.

Joining forces with staff and pupils at the other six schools across The Howard Academy Trust, they are hoping to raise £10,000 to turn Mr Slack’s vision into his legacy.

Kyle Taylor, head of finance at the trust, said: “Ollie was incredibly passionate about reading and about all children developing a love of reading.

“One of Ollie's longer-term ambitions for Deanwood Primary School was to develop an outdoor reading library and garden.

“We are therefore launching a fundraiser to make this a reality and to continue Ollie's legacy.”

He added: “Our aim is to build and create a beautiful outdoor reading area that can be used in all weathers.

“Giving the children opportunities to read for pleasure in a purpose-built area in the school grounds will really help to bring their enjoyment of reading to life.”

Mr Slack was aged just 30 when he died on February 25 after being admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham with suspected meningitis.

He was subsequently diagnosed with a sinus bacterial infection which travelled up to his brain.

The dad-of-two, teacher and football coach was a pupil at Maundene Primary School in Swallow Rise, Chatham, and Greenacre Academy, in Walderslade Road, Chatham, before qualifying as a teacher and working at Cedar Children's Academy in Cedar Road, Rochester, for two years and then starting at Deanwood Primary in 2015.

The school’s trust has set up a crowdfunder to help towards the £10,000 needed to create the memorial. Click here if you would like to donate.

The school is planning to kickstart its fundraising with a non-uniform day this term for all 4,000 pupils across the trust.

It is hoping to raise more than £5,000.