FURTHER tributes have been paid to Ellesmere College headteacher Brendan Wignall, who died last weekend.

The family and colleagues of Mr Wignall paid tribute last week after his wife Anne announced his death from cancer at Manchester’s Christie Hospital.

Ellesmere College chairman of governors Charles Lillis has also paid tribute to Mr Wignall, who was one of the youngest headteachers in the country when appointed 27 years ago.

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He said: “I am profoundly sad to learn that Brendan has died after a battle with cancer, borne with great stoicism.

“His death is a great loss, not only to his colleagues and students – past and present – at the school, but also to the wider community.

“Brendan has been an inspiring leader of Ellesmere over his 27 years of dedicated service. He brought great passion, clarity of purpose and personal humanity to the role.

“His love of films, stories and anecdotes, and passion for Liverpool Football Club endeared him to all who knew him.

“As chairman of the Governors since 2017, I have been privileged to work closely with Brendan. Our meetings were always perceptive, full of humour and devotion to Ellesmere College. I will miss him both personally and professionally.

“Brendan leaves a long-lasting and powerful legacy at Ellesmere College. I am determined that this will be carried forward and built upon by the dedicated and talented management team he created and inspired.

“Our heartfelt and deepest sympathies are extended to Brendan’s wife Anne and children Catherine and Hugh.”

Richard Morse, chairman of Woodard Schools and John Inge, Bishop John of Worcester, president of Woodard Schools, of which Ellesmere College was one of, said: “Brendan stood apart as a fine exponent of what it means to be a Woodard Head.

“Nathaniel Woodard’s mission was no less than the transforming of society through the gift of an education rooted in the catholic tradition of the Church of England.

“Brendan saw himself as inheritor of that mission, with a clear vocation to realise it in his day and in his beautiful corner of rural Shropshire.

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“Brendan’s commitment to recognising the unique strengths and challenges of everyone was reflected not only in his words but also in his actions, leaving an enduring mark on the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.

“He lived for his family and the College, a man of quiet faith and a stoic attitude towards life.

“He celebrated life every day, knowing that being in this place at this time is what he was called to be.”