Tributes have been paid to the former executive head of two Sheerness primary schools who has died, aged 59.

Alan Bayford, of The Street, Doddington, was born in Islington, north London. He was the middle of three children.

He attended Ilford County Grammar School for Boys. He then went on to the North East London Polytechnic, where he did a teaching degree.

Mr Bayford started work as a secondary teacher in Woodford, north London, teaching maths.

He met his wife Lis in 1990 and the couple moved to Kent in 1992. They married three years later and had two sons, James, now 21, and Joe, 18.

Mr Bayford’s first job in Kent was as deputy head teacher at Grove Park Primary School in Sittingbourne. He then moved to West Minster Primary School, Sheerness, in 1996 where he was executive head teacher for 17 years.

He also took over the helm of Rose Street Primary School, Sheerness, when the two schools formed a federation 11 years ago.

As well as this, he was a founding trustee and chair of Children and Families, the charity that runs Seashells Children’s Centre in Sheerness, for 15 years.

Mr Bayford took early retirement in July 2013, after which he worked at various schools, including South Avenue, as a consultant head teacher until he fell ill.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June 2016 and died on September 16, this year. His funeral was held on October 6 at Doddington Church.

Paying tribute, his wife of 22 years, Lis, said: "Alan was larger than life.

"He had a huge passion for anything he got involved in. He had a passion for education, children, and for the well-being of families."

Mrs Bayford added: "He adored rugby and used to play. He adored music of all kinds, especially opera, and he adored reading and literature of all kinds as well."

Jim Duncan, CEO of Children and Families, said Mr Bayford was always looking for opportunities to make things better for local children.

"Alan’s charitable work was extensive, as was his influence over generations of schoolchildren in Sheerness especially but also beyond," he added.

"He was always prepared to battle for his children, whether with the organs of government for funding or support, or for individual children and families suffering from the vicissitudes of life."

"Alan loved his work and dedicated himself to securing a brighter future for all children wherever he could. He is greatly missed by all those whose lives were touched by his," - Jim Duncan, CEO of Children and Families

Also paying tribute, a Sheerness West Federation spokesman said: "Alan’s legacy is still present within the Federation today, which is most evident as the current Head of Schools’ started as a volunteer and, with Alan’s support and motivation, climbed the educational ladder.

"He also inspired others to achieve greater success in their careers. It is also wonderful that some of the children that were taught by Alan, have now gone on to become teachers at the Federation.

"Alan firmly believed in developing talent and capacity through not only academic subjects but through music and drama. His favourite quote being: 'If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.' This showed his blue sky thinking."

"Even though he has not worked at the federation for four years, his legacy still carries on for his selflessness and as a role model for children and adults alike who had the good fortune of working with him.

"He has inspired so many and they still carry his beliefs to this day.

"He was instrumental in federating Rose Street and West Minster schools, allowing his beliefs to touch others in the community.

"Even after leaving, he maintained contact and was always interested in how the schools where progressing.

"The federation continues to uphold his beliefs and passion for teaching and learning."