Tributes have been paid to Amanda Haehner, a former president of the NASUWT, who has died suddenly, aged 48, from septicaemia.

Chris Keates, the NASUWT general secretary, said: “Amanda’s friendly and approachable personality won her many friends in the teaching profession and across the national and international trade union and education movement.

“In all her work for the NASUWT, she championed the cause of the classroom teacher.

“She was proud to be one and always wanted to make sure that the challenges and joys of the role were understood.”

Ms Haehner, who died on June 8, qualified in 1982 at London University. She was an English and citizenship teacher at St Mary’s High in Croydon, south-west London, before becoming the union’s president last year. She was due to return to the school next May.

Obituary in next week’s issue.