Students and staff paid tribute to an "amazing teacher" at a memorial service last week.

The school community at Archbishop Tenison High School were left devastated when cover supervisor, Anne Davies, was found hanged on September 22.

The 55-year-old was discovered at her home in Primrose Lane, Shirley, after worried colleagues visited because they had been unable to contact her.

Last Tuesday, past and present students and members of staff at the Selbourne Road school gathered at Croydon Minster to remember and celebrate Miss Davies' life.

Fiona Heath, a Year 13 pupil, paid tribute to Miss Davies during the service.

She said: "How do I possibly begin to describe how friendly, interesting, funny and amazing she was?

"When you spoke to her, your day was lifted by that sharp, dry, Welsh sense of humour. She always knew how to put a smile on my face, even on my lowest days.

"What I loved about Miss Davies was her incredible mind set. She encouraged us to seize the day and to live life to the full.

"She encouraged us to live like there was no tomorrow and to always stay true to ourselves, something she always did.

"She was full of integrity and I will always remember her telling me never to change or compromise myself for anyone.

"Her words will stay with me for as long as I can put them to good use. She was a true inspiration, in every meaning of the word."

Miss Davies funeral was held on October 12 in Wales, and attended by headteacher Richard Parrish on behalf of the school.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned at Croydon Coroners' Court on September 27.