A SCHOOL is in mourning after the death of a well respected and long-serving teacher.

George Paynter, 54, taught at Forest School, College Place, Snaresbrook, for 20 years, and championed the school’s achievements in the local press.

Mr Paynter, who was described by the school’s warden, Sarah Kerr-Dineen as an “old-fashioned school master”, died last week after a long battle with cancer.

“Behind a sometimes brusque exterior was in fact a kind and thoughtful man whose defining characteristic was the lengths to which he would go to help a friend in need.” said Mrs Kerr-Dineen.

He was head of economics and business studies at the school, and had continued to work through his battle with cancer.

“He was supportive of colleagues and proud of his department and of the wider school community, whose reputation he did so much to foster, even during his long illness and up until only days before his death from cancer,” added Mrs Kerr-Dineen.

A service will be held in the school next week to commemorate his life.