TRIBUTES have flooded in for a teacher who ‘touched the life of her pupils’ after she passed away - a month after she was diagnosed with cancer.

Students at Beauchamps High School, in Wickford, are in mourning after Kathryn Edwards died from the illness last week.

She had only returned from maternity leave in September last year.

Mrs Edwards was only diagnosed with cancer in the weeks before Christmas.

She died aged 31.

Mrs Edwards, who had taught at the school since 2006, had married in 2006 and had recently given birth to a little boy, who is now eight months-old.

Headteacher Bob Hodges said Mrs Edwards, from Chelmsford, was an “enthusiastic committed and inspirational young teacher”.

He said: “The whole school community at Beauchamps High School is deeply saddened by her death.

“Kathryn has touched the lives of, and made a lasting impact on, many young people in her work as a Geography Teacher supporting them through GCSE and ‘A’ Levels.

“She will be greatly missed and in the days ahead we shall be thinking about how best we can remember Kathryn and her contribution to the school, the students and the wider community.”

Mrs Edwards was a Geography teacher at the Beauchamps Drive school.

She also worked as the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and supported students with learning needs and the Able, Gifted and Talented.

On Beauchamps’ website she is listed under her former name, Miss Evans, as one of the ‘key people’ at the school.

The pupils at the Wickford school were told last Friday (24th) in a special assembley and Mr Hodges has written to the children’s parents.

Mr Hodges added the school would organise a tribute to Mrs Edwards in the coming days.