TRIBUTES have been paid to a former headteacher who was a much loved gentleman of Cricklade.

Michael Ferris, 63, pictured, died last week after he lost his fight with cancer.

The popular head spent 25 years at St Sampson’s Church of England Junior School before retiring in July 2004.

A family friend and former colleague of Michael’s has now come forward to pay tribute to him.

“Staff, pupils and parents respected and admired his strong leadership,” said Mary New, 65, from Purton, who taught at the school from 1979.

She said: “His influence through rising generations in the community will always be remembered.

“To him every individual mattered.

“And his understanding and mastery of life’s challenges was unique.

“He had a great personality and could communicate with anyone – whether you were a cleaner, dinner lady, staff member, pupil or parent.

“He had great intelligence in maths and geography.

“All who knew him will remember him with love and affection for touching their lives.

“He leaves behind a fantastic legacy in Cricklade that he built up over a number of years.

“Michael had high expectations and a devoted team of staff, which gave the local community a wonderful school.”

Mr Ferris left the Cricklade school after an extremely positive Ofsted report, and said it was “nice to leave on a high.”

He thought the success of the school rested on the equal importance the school gives to non-academic subjects like art, sport and drama.

He described himself as a “hands-on headteacher” after he retired.

Due to his length of service, Mr Ferris taught the parents of many of the pupils at the school when he left, and said that the continuity he had at the school helped forge a strong bond between the school and the community.

It resulted in well attended school events.

Before joining St Sampson’s he was the deputy head at a middle school in Dorset.

Mr Ferris moved from his home in Cirencester to Stockbridge, Hampshire, during his retirement.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-four leaves his widow Jill, to whom he had been married for more than 40 years. A memorial service for him is due to take place in May or June.