Tributes have been paid to a much loved deputy head at Mawnan School who has died suddenly aged just 47.

The education community across west Cornwall was in shock this week after the sudden death of Ross Barnes who was deputy head at Mawnan School. He had three children.

Mr Barnes suddenly collapsed and died on Friday evening (May 10).

In a statement issued to the Packet, Mawnan School said it was “deeply saddened” that it had lost a “much-loved” colleague, teacher, and friend.

A spokesperson for the school said: “Our school family is deeply saddened that we have lost a much-loved colleague, teacher, and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Ross' family, his partner, and friends at this time. 

“As a school, we are coming together to support each other and we draw strength from our close-knit community. 

“We will not be making any further comment at this time."

In addition to being deputy head, Mr Barnes was a year four and five teacher at Mawnan. His death comes as year six pupils at the school are taking their SATs, a very important week for the children.

The news of Mr Barnes' death has ripped through the education community in West Cornwall with many school staff in mourning for their colleague when the news was broken to them on Monday morning.

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Before joining Mawnan School, Mr Barnes was a teacher at St Francis School in Falmouth.

He grew up in the area and attended Falmouth School and was well known in the area. As well as being deputy head he was also the "Fusion" teacher at Mawnan Smith School. 

Mr Barnes’ son Stanley has featured frequently in the Packet and in national publications concerning his battle with Sanfilippo, a condition likened to Alzheimer's, with which he was diagnosed at about 16 months old.