Stansted head teacher Matthew Curzon dies aged 42 from cancer

Matthew Curzon, head teacher of St Mary’s primary school in Stansted, has died from cancer aged 42.

He had worked at the Essex school for 15 years, progressing from class teacher to deputy head and then head teacher.

Acting head teacher Kara Power said he put children’s wellbeing and support first and wanted every pupil to feel valued and able to thrive.

Colleagues remembered his warmth with pupils, including playing trains with younger children and teaching computing.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, he also made plastic visors for local health workers and emergency responders using 3D printers at home.

His death is being mourned across the school community, including by pupils, families, governors and staff.