Victim was ‘ inspiring’ girls’ school teacher, 36
‘He always went the extra mile’
AN ‘inspirational’ secondary school teacher was last night named as one of the Reading victims.
James Furlong, 36, was the first of three people stabbed to death in Forbury Gardens on Saturday to be named.
Teachers, parents and pupils at The Holt School in Wokingham, Berkshire, have paid tribute to Mr Furlong, who was head of its history, government and politics department.
A letter issued by the school described him as a ‘kind and gentle man’ who had a ‘real sense of duty and cared for each and every one of our students’.
Last night Mr Furlong’s devastated parents Gary and Janet said in a statement: ‘James was a wonderful man. He was beautiful, intelligent, honest and fun.
‘He was the best son, brother, uncle and partner you could wish for. We are thankful for the memories he gave us all. We will never forget him and he will live in our hearts forever.’
The school has cancelled all lessons today and said that counsellors are available for pupils and staff who want to talk about the tragedy. The local church is opening for people to light a candle in his memory.
The school has around 1,200 pupils aged 11–18. Most are girls but boys are admitted in the sixth form.
Jade Sirmon, a pupil at the school from 2012 to 2017, said Mr Furlong ‘really was an incredible teacher’. She added: ‘He was funny and kind and always made history fun and entertaining. History was always one of my favourite subjects and Mr Furlong always encouraged it.’
Mr Furlong also helped organise school trips abroad and held fun competitions to encourage pupils to engage with their learning. One – to create a historical figure from an egg – resulted in entries including Eggbert Einstein and the Eggexcution of Anne Boiling, the school website said.
Parent Keith Power, 54, said he and his family were ‘distraught’ about the news. He said Mr Furlong taught his daughter GCSE history and that her grades soared under his teaching.
‘Every time I had an interaction with him it was always positive,’ he told The Guardian. ‘He was so supportive of my daughter. He just went the extra mile all the time, he was very caring about all the pupils and very passionate about history and teaching and learning, and helping kids. He needs to be remembered as a great human being.’
The school letter, written by co-headteachers Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce and shared online, said: ‘He truly inspired everyone he taught through his passion for his subject and his dedication. He was determined that our students would develop a critical awareness of global issues and in doing so become active citizens and have a voice.
‘Words cannot describe our shock and sadness. Our thoughts are with his mum, dad, brother and family, and his friends and colleagues. He was a cherished colleague and he will be sadly missed.’