We are very sad to announce the passing away on Sunday of our very highly regarded colleague, Mr Jim Cleaver. Jim suffered a heart attack having spent the day at home with his family.

Jim has been the headteacher of Wells Hall Primary School in Great Cornard for the last three years, having had a long career in primary education including a previous headship in Bury St Edmunds.

We all knew how important Jim's family was to him, and we wish his wife, three daughters, parents, brother and sister and his wider family our very best wishes at this time of such sadness.

The school was due, subject to further confirmation by the Government, to open to more children from 1 June. We have today written to parents stating that this will now be delayed. We will confirm a new date later this week.

The trust and school are proud to have been associated with Jim and are committed to building on the great work he has led at Wells Hall Primary School. In our intense sadness, we remember Jim's work with great gratitude and with great regret that he was not with us for longer.

Unity Schools Partnership has been touched by the number of tributes to Mr Cleaver from staff at Wells Hall Primary School.

One tribute read: “Understandably, I am absolutely devastated at the news of Jim's sudden death. He truly was a wonderful, selfless man who put everyone before himself. He will be greatly missed by the whole Wells Hall community.”