Tributes paid to long-serving Bourne Academy teacher who died while riding his bike

Tributes have been paid to an ‘extremely popular’ secondary school teacher who tragically died while out cycling this week.

Richard Wade, 64, had been a staff member at Bourne Academy for 22 years – having joined in January 1995 when it was The Robert Manning School.

Mr Wade, a modern languages specialist and keen cyclist and guitar player, is said to have suffered a heart attack.

In a message sent to staff and pupils on Tuesday, Bourne Academy headteacher Laurence Reilly wrote: “It is with sadness that I inform you that our colleague, Mr Richard Wade, died suddenly yesterday.

“Richard had a fatal heart attack whilst out cycling. A motorist stopped, tried to resuscitate him and contacted the emergency services, but to no avail.

“Richard started at what was then The Robert Manning School in January 1995 and so was in his 22nd year at the school.

“He was extremely popular with staff and students alike. Richard was always calm and friendly; I can never remember him shouting at any students and yet he never had any behaviour issues in any class he taught or when he covered the lesson for an absent colleague.

“We have lost a much loved and respected member of our school community.”

Two books of condolence have been opened at the school – one for staff and one for pupils. There are also plans for a permanent memorial at the school, subject to discussions with his wife.

Mr Reilly added: “Richard was always on hand to support colleagues and students alike when they had problems.

“He was a very optimistic and cheerful character who added so much to the life of the school, one example of which was playing guitar in the staff band during our end of term assemblies.

“Students past and present have paid tributes to Mr Wade on social networking. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all of us who have been part of this school over the past two decades.”

Mr Wade began his teaching career in 1976 and previously worked in Basildon; Burnley; Paderborn and Weeze in Germany.

He lived in Peterborough and had been vice-chairman of the governing body at the city’s Thomas Deacon Academy for four years.

Principal Geoff Walls said he would be sadly missed, adding: “Richard was a very active, exceptional governor. He had a real passion for education.

“He was extremely supportive personally when I joined the school three and a half years ago.

“We were all very saddened by the news and have sent a message to his family to say they are in our thoughts and prayers.”