A SCHOOL community has lost a ‘legendary’ geography teacher who inspired generations of children.

Audrey Screen died on Wednesday, having taught for almost 36 years at Larkmead School in Abingdon.

Colleagues and former pupils paid tribute to the mother, who was one of the secondary school’s longest-serving staff members.

 

Writing on Larkmead’s website, headteacher Chris Harris said: “She was utterly committed to this school and she touched the lives of many generations of Larkmead students and their families.

“She will be greatly missed, but her contribution to our school will be her lasting tribute.

"Thank you Mrs Screen from all the generations of students, parents and staff for the unparalleled time and commitment that you have given to this school and its community."

ALSO READ: Well-known Oxford teacher who played a large role in athletics dies

Mrs Screen's sons Tom and Jack went to Larkmead, and she was married to Larkmead teacher Lionel Crowe, the tribute added.

Mr Harris said her death on Wednesday night followed a ‘long battle with illness.’

The news was posted on a Facebook page called Memories of Larkmead School, and has been shared 300 times.

Commenting on the post, one of Mrs Screen’s former pupils said: “She was a lovely lady and teacher to all she taught, she even remembered me 15 years after leaving Larkmead, when I visited the school with my son.”

Oxford Mail:

Larkmead School

Another added: “Absolutely devastated. She was my head of year and was then my daughter’s head of year and geography teacher.

“She is part of the reason she will be studying geography at uni next year. Rest in peace Mrs Screen.”

Others described Abingdon resident Mrs Screen as ‘the most inspirational teacher’, a ‘Larkmead legend from my day and the present’ and a ‘wonderful, enthusiastic and caring lady.’

ALSO READ: Larkmead School praised by Ofsted

Many spoke of how she made geography lessons fun and inspired them to study the subject at GCSE or above, and praised her 'firm but fair' approach to teaching.

Oxford Harlequins RFC held a minute’s silence before their rugby game against Wimborne on Saturday, in memory of Mrs Screen.

In a Facebook post, the team described Mrs Screen as the mother of Oxford Quins 1st XV player, Jack Crowe.

The post, written by the team’s director of rugby Stu Wells, said: “We have been humbled by Jack’s courage and strength: he insisted on training with the 1st XV on Thursday night, and was determined to play on Saturday and wear the 7 shirt, knowing that this is what his mum would have wanted.

“We will observe a minute’s silence before the game. After which, there will be 15 Quins players all playing for Jack.”

The team won 53-7.

As well as teaching geography, Mrs Screen was listed on the school's website as being a director of learning at Larkmead for Year 10 and 11.

She worked at the 764-pupil school from January 1984 until July this year, according to the tribute.