'Brilliant' head teacher from Essex dies while in France

Simon Gibbs was described as being "much loved" and a "brilliant head teacher"

A "brilliant head teacher" from Essex has died while on a trip to France, a school has said.

New Rickstones Academy in Witham sent a letter to parents and carers to inform them that Simon Gibbs had died at the weekend.

It said it was believed Mr Gibbs was in France with friends when there was an accident on Saturday evening.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said it was supporting his family.

In the letter to parents and carers sent by Johanna Thompson, regional education director for the Academies Enterprise Trust, Mr Gibbs was described as a "much-loved colleague and a brilliant head teacher".

"We will miss him enormously," Ms Thompson wrote.

"He will be remembered for his integrity and passion for teaching, as well as his dedication to the community at New Rickstones."

A spokesperson for the FCDO said: "We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in France, and our staff are in contact with the local authorities."