A school has announced the tragic death of a deputy head teacher whose three-year-old son was described as “the light of her life”.

Jo Kettle, 35, died on Saturday morning following a six-month battle with cancer, sparking tributes from bosses at Newington Primary School in Ramsgate.

On its Facebook page, the school said she had displayed “unbelievable courage” throughout her illness and “never wanted to let the school or the children down”.

It added: “She was immensely positive and strong throughout the fight and she was a tremendous inspiration to us all in the way that she faced adversity and was not daunted by it.”

Mrs Kettle joined the school in 2013, having previously worked in Dover and Ramsgate.

She graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University.

The tribute continued: “Her love for her job, the school and the children was something that helped our school to reach the heights that we have. She was a driving force in helping us to achieve great things and her legacy will live on way beyond the current generation of children.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside someone who was loved and respected by all those around her, in equal measure.

"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside someone who was loved and respected by all those around her, in equal measure..." - Newington Primary School

“I am sure that you will join me in offering our sincere condolences to Ross, her husband, and Sebastian, the light of her life, her three-year-old son.”

A book of condolences was placed in the school foyer this morning, with pupils told of her death when they arrived back in class after the weekend.

The school said: “We have let the children know what has happened this afternoon and we will be supporting them in the next week by helping them come to terms with this awful event.

“This will involve sharing memories and talking through how we cope with sadness. We will help the children to understand this by developing a Memory Tree in the reception area of the school.

We will also be spending time together on Friday afternoon, in a special assembly, where we will be celebrating all that Jo gave to our community during the time she worked at Newington.

“As part of this celebration for Mrs Kettle, I would like the children to wear their favourite clothes on Friday.

“We had a shared passion for running marathons, so I will be wearing my running clothes, and no donations are required.

“I know the strength of our school family and am sure that, despite the depth of emotion many of us are feeling, we will support one another through this difficult time.”

Funeral details have yet to be finalised.