Pupils Pay Tribute To 'Inspirational' Teacher

Pupils at the Leeds school where a popular teacher was fatally stabbed have paid tribute to an “inspirational woman”.

A 15-year-old pupil from Corpus Christi Catholic College is being held by police in connection with the killing of a woman name locally as Anne Maguire.

But students of the 61-year-old victim, who taught generations of children for up to four decades, left flowers in her honour outside the school while others posted messages on social media.

Among those gathering outside the scene of the stabbing was Nicola Davies, who broke down as she tried to explain why she had driven 40 miles from Goole to pay her respects.

Mrs Davies, who left the school in 1996, said: “She was just amazing. She was such an incredible lady. It’s just so heartbreaking, it really is.”

Others laying flowers hugged each other as they placed notes against the metal railings.

Laying flowers, former pupil Aine Arnold, 17, said: “It’s more like losing a family member than losing a teacher.

“As long as we were happy, she was happy. She would do anything for you.

“She helped me personally a lot. She’s going to be such a loss to the school. Hers were one of those lessons you didn’t want to miss.

“She was just lovely. She was wonderful. I am devastated.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of messages were posted on Twitter by those who knew Mrs Maguire.

Freya Rose wrote: “Wouldn’t have made it through high school without Mrs Maguire , such an inspirational woman , rest in peace.”

Ross Meston tweeted: “I remember the day Mrs Maguire give me the application form for my apprenticeship. She’ll never know the difference she made to my life.”

Another Twitter user, with the username Swolbraham Lincoln, wrote: “She was one of the only teachers who actually gave everyone a second chance she never wrote anyone off. An amazing person rip Mrs Maguire.”

Ozza Murt tweeted: “RIP Mrs Maguire, she was Mrs Corpus a full life affecting thousands and propelling people to better lives.”

And Elliott Benn, wrote on his Twitter account: “RIP Mrs Maguire. One of the nicest teachers I’ve ever had. Genuinely lovely woman who loved doing her job.”

Abby Warwick tweeted: “Never known a teacher as dedicated to every one of her students as Mrs Maguire, she honestly cared so much.”

Lucy Melia wrote on her Twitter page: “Everybody has got nothing but pure love for Mrs Maguire, still haven’t met anyone else like her she was the heart of that school.”

Pupils Pay Tribute To 'Inspirational' Teacher