Tributes have been paid to a former Island head teacher who passed away earlier this month.

Peter Woollacott will be remembered by the many students who attended Cheyne Middle School.

He died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, October 9, after suffering heart failure. He was 64.

He lived in Minster for the last 24 years with his wife Jo and is survived by children Sarah and David and his grandchildren.

After time spent teaching in Oxfordshire, Mr Woollacott was appointed to merge girls’ and boys’ schools Lady Anne Cheyne and Sir Thomas Cheyne into Cheyne Middle School.

He was headmaster at the school from its inception in 1990 to when it became part of the Isle of Sheppey Academy in 2009, which he helped to campaign against.

Throughout that time he suffered increasingly serious heart problems and endured invasive medical procedures.

Mike Meredith, who was the headmaster at Danley Middle School during the time Mr Woollacott led Cheyne, said: “He was an exceptional leader.

“He was a very good team leader. He never claimed to be able to do it all himself but he was good at recognising ability in others and giving them the opportunity to develop their talents.

“Cheyne was a very successful school. It was particularly successful in music, community projects and was highly regarded for its pastoral care.

“A significant number of its pupils came from economically deprived backgrounds and the school was excellent at nurturing them and helping them reach their potential.

“That was all down to his leadership.

“Despite ill health he fought valiantly and exhaustively, taking a full and stressful role in the battle to save our schools.

“Peter was determined and forceful in both his professional life and his ongoing health battle.

“He was also very funny despite the indignities with which his health forced him to contend.”

Mr Woollacott’s funeral will be held at the Garden of England Crematorium, Bobbing on Monday, October 28 at 11am. All friends are welcome. Donations to Demelza Hospice Care for Children are requested rather than flowers.