'Brilliant' secondary school teacher dies from Covid just two days after Christmas

Tributes have poured in for an "inspirational" secondary school teacher and beloved father-of-three who died of Covid just two days after Christmas.

Paul Hilditch, 55, had no underlying health conditions and it is unclear how he caught the virus before his death on Sunday.

He was remembered today by parents, pupils and teachers at Conyers School in Teesside as a "dedicated" and "well-loved" member of staff.

His death comes after teaching unions slammed the government's response to the pandemic and called for greater risk assessments to protect staff from the virus.

Neighbour Judy Sisterton, 72, said popular Mr Hilditch had helped her throughout the pandemic by offering to do her shopping and described the death as a "shock."

The pensioner said: "Paul was such a lovely man.

Mr Hilditch was a 'much-loved' teacher at Conyers for four years before his sudden death (Evening Gazette)

"I am just in shock by the news. One of the other neighbours said his car hadn't moved for a while but I didn't think much of it as I assumed he was on his school holidays.

"He was very well respected in the community.

"I am surprised to hear about what's happened as he was healthy and young. He was always out his bike.

"He has been a great help to me throughout the pandemic, always asking if he could get me anything from the shops. It's so sad.

It is understood Mr Hilditch has three children - two adult daughters and a son.

Headteacher at Conyers, Louise Spellman, said: "Paul was a fantastic teacher who thought so much of his students and really gave his all to ensure they achieved their best,' she said.

"Paul loved our school and our students: he will be remembered as a kind, devoted and truly brilliant teacher.

"All of our thoughts and prayers are with Paul's friends and family at this time."

Mr Hilditch, a keen member of local reenactment group the Northern World War Two Association, was honoured on social media by his old pupils.

One shaken pupil said: "No way I'm reading this, he was one the best teachers in there. Rest in peace."

The parents of a pupil said: "My son really took to him and the way he taught - despite having only been taught by him since September.

"Absolutely heartbreaking, thoughts and love to his family."

Another wrote: "Such a terrible loss. My daughter thought he was a great teacher. My thoughts go out to his family."

Following a surge in the new mutant strain, ministers yesterday announced plans to close every secondary school for an extra two weeks, with primary schools in hotspot areas also kept shut other than for key worker children.

In a dramatic U-turn yesterday, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed that most secondary school pupils will see the start of term delayed by a fortnight to January 18, and exam year pupils will return on January 11.

The move leaves parents and schoolchildren facing further disruption with growing fears over the the effect of home learning on academic progress and mental well-being.