STAFF and pupils at a Strensall school were in shock today after learning their head teacher had died.

Peter Feasby, the head at Robert Wilkinson School, collapsed yesterday evening. He was 48.

Parents arriving at the school today were invited to a special assembly conducted by acting head teacher Maggie Antoun, while the children were told by their class teachers.

Patrick Scott, director of education at City of York Council, said Mr Feasby's death had come as a terrible shock.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with Peter's widow and two young children," he said. "Peter was known and respected well beyond his own school and he will be missed by all his friends in the educational community in York. He was a dedicated and talented head teacher, who always put children first.

"He had tremendous energy and was at the forefront of new thinking, whether it was the latest in information technology, or early years education or sport and out-of-school activities.

"He wanted children to enjoy learning, and was determined that his school should be the kind of place where that was possible.

"He will be remembered for his sense of humour, his warmth, and a talent for friendship that embraced everybody with whom he came into contact."

The LEA is making support available to the staff and children at the school should it be needed.

A spokesman for the York Coroner's office said a post-mortem examination was likely to be held tomorrow, but the early indications were that Mr Feasby's death was due to natural causes.

Updated: 10:46 Tuesday, June 08, 2004