Pupils mourn 'hugely' popular Ewell Glyn Technology School teacher Tony Cooper (From This Is Local London)

Pupils mourn 'hugely' popular Ewell Glyn Technology School teacher Tony Cooper

10:08am Friday 13th March 2009

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Pupils wore black ties to school yesterday in mourning for Tony Cooper, a hugely popular teacher at Glyn Technology School, Ewell, who died after collapsing in the school car park on Wednesday morning.

In a special assembly at the school yesterday head boy David Nickerson, summed up the feelings of so many students, past and present, when he said: “Mr Cooper’s smile lit up a room.

"His cheerful, caring and passionate approach to teaching us made him one of the most loved members of staff at Glyn.”

Mr Cooper, 38, taught English at the school for the past seven years, joining it on an exchange programme from Washington DC, in 2002.

He was due to stay just two years but he enjoyed teaching at Glyn Tech so much that he stayed on “playing a full and active part in the life of the school,” according to a school spokeswoman.

Mr Cooper was an integral part of the school jazz band and used his musical talent in many school productions.

Glyn’s headteacher, Jon Chaloner, informed shocked staff of Mr Cooper’s death on Wednesday and closed the school for the afternoon, to allow them to mourn the popular teacher.

A school spokeswoman said: “Mr Chaloner led the school assembly reflecting on Mr Cooper’s sudden passing – and the need to support each other at this difficult time whilst fondly remembering the many memories that we are privileged to have of such a charismatic man.

“Tony Cooper will be sadly missed by students and staff alike, both past and present.”

A Facebook group was set up yesterday and has over 1,300 members among pupils and colleagues, who left tribute messages to the teacher.

A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said: “Our crews were called to West Gardens, in Ewell, at 8.38am on Wednesday, March 11 to reports of a man in his 30s suffering from breathing difficulties.

”The patient then suffered a cardiac arrest and resuscitation attempts were carried out en route to Epsom Hospital.”

He later died in hospital.

The Tony Cooper Memorial Fund has already been set up in his honour by the school and is accepting donations via The Glyn School Trust on www.glyn.surrey.sch.uk.

A formal memorial service is planned for the teacher.

• Leave your tributes and memories of Mr Cooper below.

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