School mourns shock death of selfless teacher

‘Passionate’ head of music passes away at 45

A Maidstone school is in mourning following the shock death of its “caring and thoughtful” head of music, aged just 45.

Students at Maplesden Noakes are returning to class to the distressing news that Kirsten Charsley passed away in Maidstone Hospital from multiple organ failure and pneumonia on August 19.

Miss Charsley, who had taught at the Great Buckland Road school for 16 years, was a mumof-one of Heath Road, Langley. 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. She was respected so much by so many students.” Miss Charsley, who grew up in Hertfordshire, graduated in music from Kingston University in Surrey and was drawn to Kent by the grammar school system. She taught at Rainham School for Girls before joining Maplesden Noakes.

Her father Malcolm Charsley explained: “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.”

He 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. She had some wonderful successes, with some of her pupils going on to stage schools and quite successful careers. “We saw her only a few weeks before and she had been fine.” Her mother, Andrea Charsley, said Kirsten had always loved music, playing piano, violin and flute, adding: “She was a lovely person and really enjoyed helping others.”

Mr Owen said the school was supporting students with offers of counselling. He said: “Kirsten has 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 ensure we come together as a school community because that is our biggest strength and Kirsten was part of that strength.”

‘Kirsten was one of the most genuinely caring and thoughtful people I know’