More than £5,000 has been raised in memory of a popular teacher.

Chris Scott, a hugely popular and well-respected teacher who was the head of PE at Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, died of natural causes on March 2.

Following his death, Hadrian Learning Trust set up a fundraising page, and so far £5,370 has been raised.

Hadrian Learning Trust will work with Chris’s family to decide how to use the money best to remember him.

Chris joined the school as a newly-qualified teacher in 2005, having undertaken one of his training placements at the school. It was there he met his wife Gayle, who was also a teacher in the PE department.

A keen sportsman, Chris excelled in a wide range of sports in his youth, gaining representative honours in football, rugby, cricket athletics and badminton. He brought his talents and experiences to bear at the school, quickly establishing himself as an outstanding teacher and willing provider of extra-curricular sporting opportunities for pupils.

Chris was promoted to second in department in 2009 before becoming curriculum leader for PE in 2017, continuing the school’s status as a widely-respected place of sporting opportunity and excellence; academic outcomes for PE students at GCSE and in the sixth form were consistently among the very best in the school under his leadership.

“Chris was a much-loved colleague, teacher and friend and a big presence in our community, despite his modest, unassuming, gentle manner,” said executive headteacher Graeme Atkins at the time.

“He was tireless in his efforts to support and enable our students to enjoy sport and to succeed, and always had time for them and others.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ChrisScottMemorial