Former education secretary Michael Gove said he is devastated to hear the news of Ipswich Academy principal Amanda Phillips’ death.
He shared his memories of her on social media last night as hundreds of people, including parents and fellow teachers, paid tribute to the 62-year-old.
Mrs Phillips, who was awarded a CBE in 2015 and was considered one of the country’s top ‘superheads’, was chief executive of the Paradigm Trust which owns five schools across the country including Murrayfield Primary School and Ipswich Academy.
She died while on holiday in France earlier this week after suffering a fall which left her with serious head injuries.
David Willis, chairman of the trust’s board, said in a statement: “It is with tremendous sadness that I have to tell you that Amanda died yesterday (Wednesday).
“I know I speak for us all when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with her husband and family.”
Floral tributes have been laid outside both Murrayfield and Ipswich Academy this morning a as parents and pupils come to terms with her death.
One of the messages, in green felt-tip writing, at Murrayfield in Nacton Road said: “Amanda Phillips will be remembered for changing Murrayfield around.
“She believed in everyone that they can do it. She tried to make Murrayfield better. I feel sorry that she has gone.
“We will miss Amanda Phillips.”
Mrs Phillips took over as principal of Ipswich Academy in 2015 and was praised for how quickly she managed to turn the struggling school around.
Mr Gove, writing on Twitter, said: “I am devastated – Amanda was an inspirational school leader – a truly wonderful person – my heart goes out to her family.”
Dame Rachel de Souza, chief executive of the Inspiration Trust, added: “Amanda was one of our founding trustees and her educational expertise was formative in our approach to our very first academies, particularly Great Yarmouth Primary and Norwich Primary.
“She was a dedicated teacher with many valuable years of experience, and it was wonderful to see her contribution – particularly in east London – recognised in 2015 when she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”
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