Former students and colleagues have been paying tribute to the late headteacher of Norwich's Blyth-Jex High School Peter Stiven.

Ian Moore said: 'I came into the school a nervous and shy individual and left a man, confident of his place in the world and that the world was my oyster.

'Rest in peace to a man who led with vision and principles and instilled this within the school. He helped make me the person I am today.'

Kim Gilchrist said: 'Mr Stiven taught me history and was supportive and generous, especially when I ran into typical teenage difficulties.

'He was also a lively and inspiring teacher - he taught me medieval European history. I'm currently completing a PhD on Shakespearean theatre history at the University of Roehampton, where I am about to begin a Teaching Fellowship.

'So, in some ways my career is still being shaped by the inspiring teaching I received at Blyth Jex.'

Sam Morrison said: 'What a truly wonderful head teacher, I will be forever grateful to the support he gave me when my dad died.

'He also drove to my house in his incredibly posh car and hand delivered my maths retake to me as he was so chuffed I finally got the C grade I desperately needed for university. He was one in a million.'

Victoria Barton said: 'I worked as a colleague of Peter Stiven and he was always supportive of colleagues and the pioneering work we were doing in media studies with the students of all abilities.

'I have the happiest memories of my many years teaching at Blyth Jex School. Peter deserved a long and happy retirement after heading a unique community to include encouraging links with a secondary school in Poland.'