A HEARTBROKEN Barrow school community has paid tribute to an “inspirational teacher” and “loyal friend and colleague”.

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The team at St George’s CE School, in Barrow, have been fondly remembering Paul Coulston, their former deputy headteacher, who died on Saturday.

The 40-year-old, of Ulverston, had bravely fought motor neurone disease and raised awareness about the crippling illness which he lived with for three years.

The father-of-two had been diagnosed with the muscle wasting disease in April 2012, three years after his wife, Clare, had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Mr Coulston was adored by staff, pupils, parents and governors at the Barrow primary school.

Eight months ago the school lost much-loved teaching assistant, Nicky Gwynne, 37, after her courageous cancer battle.

Eleven-year-old pupil Emily Armstrong, who left St George’s this summer, said: “The next time it thunders it will be Mr Coulston and Mrs Gwynne.

“They were both such characters, they will be up there causing mischief. I remember Mr Coulston dressing up as an Oompa Loompa for World Book Day.

“St George’s will miss him a lot because of how funny he was and because he was a great teacher.”

St George’s headteacher Elaine Kent said: “It is impossible to summarise what he meant to me or the team at St George’s.

“Paul loved his job and was an inspirational teacher. He was bright, committed, professional, loving and had an amazing sense of humour.

“This, alongside his mischievous streak, would get him into and out of many situations.

“Always the team player, staff and parents were able to go to him for help or advice knowing that he would do his best for them. Paul was a hard task master and had very high expectations of his pupils and himself, always wanting to do his job better.

“Paul was adventurous and loved sport. Nothing gave him more pleasure than being on a residential with the children encouraging them to push themselves beyond what they felt possible or seeing his precious football team do well.

“However, he hated anything to do with art and so would avoid it as far as possible. Other staff would take pleasure in glittering up his classroom and ensuring Christmas was full of bling.

“He loved to dress up, annoy us with his terrible ties, jumpers, wigs or costumes. This ability to not take himself seriously created such a positive vibe in the school.

“Paul loved attention and was a master at getting staff to spoil him or run around after him. We all adored him. He had a way with people that cannot be taught.

“This also meant it was him you wanted by your side when things got tough and he never let you down.

“Paul was a very special man, loved by everyone, a loyal friend and colleague, the children loved him. We were blessed to have shared our lives with him. It is tragic that he was taken so young. He is truly irreplaceable.”