Tributes have been paid to the pioneering and popular former headteacher of three Norfolk primary schools, who has died of cancer just a year after retiring.

Eastern Daily Press: Christine Livings, left, pictured as St Peters School in Easton was awarded the Investors In People award in 2005. Also pictured senior teacher Becky Newman and the Bishop of Thetford, Right Rev David Atkinson. Photo: Adrian Judd .Christine Livings, left, pictured as St Peters School in Easton was awarded the Investors In People award in 2005. Also pictured senior teacher Becky Newman and the Bishop of Thetford, Right Rev David Atkinson. Photo: Adrian Judd . (Image: Archant � 2005)

Christine Livings, 60, was the popular former headteacher of three Church of England primary schools - St Peter's in Easton, near Norwich, Great Witchingham and Hockering.

During her 14 years in headship, she guided all three from 'satisfactory' to 'good' and 'outstanding' Ofsted reports, receiving praise from inspectors for her exceptional leadership.

She joined her schools together to form one of Norfolk's first official three-school alliances.

The Trinity Federation of Church Schools was created in 2011 – a ground-breaking move in education in the county.

Eastern Daily Press: Christine Livings, former head teacher of three Norfolk primary schools. Pic: Submitted.Christine Livings, former head teacher of three Norfolk primary schools. Pic: Submitted. (Image: Submitted)

She died at her home in Garvestone, near Dereham, surrounded by family.

Mary Blathwayt, chairman of governors for the Trinity Federation, said: 'Her friends and colleagues have lost a very special person who was much loved and respected and who still had so much to give and so much to live for.'

Mrs Livings, who retired from headship in April 2016 and started her 26-year career as a high school history specialist, was a long-serving member of the Norwich Diocese Board of Education and an inspector of Church of England schools.

She also led the conversion of her three-school federation from local authority control to academy status in March last year.

She also ran Brownie and Girlguiding groups and spent time as a Sunday school superintendent at All Saints Church, in Mattishall.

Andy Mash, director of education for the Diocese of Norwich, said: 'She was often the go-to person for wise advice and judgement. Her encouragement and guidance for church schools, and her always-warm presence within our circles, will be sorely missed.

'Her proud and outstanding legacy is assured in the pioneering Trinity Federation and through all the individual schools and headteachers she supported over the years.'

Mrs Livings leaves a husband, four children and two grandchildren, following her death on Saturday, June 10.

Her funeral will be held at All Saints Church, in Mattishall, at 2.30pm on Friday, June 30.