Students at Maplesden Noakes School in Maidstone are returning to class to the distressing news that one of their teachers has died.

Kirsten Charsley, the head of music at the school in Great Buckland Road passed away in Maidstone Hospital on August 19, from multiple organ failure and pneumonia.

Her death was not Coronavirus-related. She suffered initial stomach pains that led to a short period of illness.

Her father Malcolm Charsley said: "We saw her only a few weeks before and she had been fine."

Head teacher Richard Owen described the news as "tragic and shocking."

He said: "Kirsten was one of the most genuinely caring and thoughtful people I know.

"I know a lot of students and parents will also be in considerable shock at the news. She was respected so much by so many students."

Miss Charsley had been a teacher at the school for 16 years and previously taught at Rainham School for Girls.

Her mother Andrea Charsley said that Kirsten had always loved music; playing piano, violin and flute. She graduated in music from Kingston University in Surrey.

Mrs Charsley said: "She was a lovely person and really enjoyed helping others."

She had also been interested in mental health and had recently completed a course to become a counsellor.

Although her family home was in Hertfordshire, Mr Charsley said that his daughter had deliberately taken the decision to teach in Kent because of the grammar school system. He said: "She wanted to teach at a secondary modern because she felt passionately that non-academic students shouldn't miss out on music and the arts."

Miss Charsley was a single parent, having a son Jamie while at university. The relationship didn't last and Jamie, now 23, was brought up by her parents. However, Miss Charlsey and her son maintained a strong relationship with each other and she was heavily involved in his upbringing.

Mr Charsley said: "She was very close to him and would come to see him every weekend for 18 years."

She lived in Heath Road, Langley, near Maidstone.

Mr Charsley said his daughter had been a "troublesome" teenager, but he believed it was that which had enabled her to connect so well with her students.

He said: "She spoke their language."

He said: "She had some wonderful successes, with some of her pupils going on to stage schools and quite successful careers."

Head teacher Mr Owen said he was concerned that Miss Charsley's death would add an additional level of anxiety for students who were already going through a difficult time.

The school has set up links where students can seek counselling if they need to.

He said: "Kirsten has always been such an endearing and well-respected person in our community for such a long time.

"Her selflessness and her genuine care for everyone else, embodied what we stand for.

"We will of course, ensure we come together as a school community because that is our biggest strength and Kirsten was part of that strength.

"In the meantime my heart goes out to Kirsten’s family at such a tragic and difficult time."

Miss Charsley's funeral will be at 2pm on Tuesday at St Mary's Church in Stotfold, Hertfordshire.

Because of Covid, the church will be restricted to 30 mourners. However, there will be a live web-link on the day so that others who knew her can join in.

To view, click here and enter this password: Kf9suHR41PnLcV36

Read more: All the latest news from Malling

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone