TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular and caring teacher who taught generations of pupils at a York school.

Christine Barrowcliff taught thousands of pupils while working as a PE and religious studies teacher at Fulford School for 34 years.

She has died at the age of 69 following a long illness.

Her colleague, Frank Gutierrez, said: “Christine was a very caring person and was an outstanding form tutor in my year team.

“She had endless patience and would frequently be seen talking and supporting members of her tutor group at break and dinner times – so much so that I often caught her eating lunch at 3.30pm, before she sped away to referee a match or a team practice.

“She was very touched when I told her once that a mother had requested to have her child in her class. The mother said Miss Barrowcliff taught me at school and she was always so approachable. She seemed to understand that what appeared as a minor problem was always a big problem for the child and she willingly made time to sort them out. She was such a lovely person.”

While in York, Miss Barrowcliff lived in Appletree Village before moving to Scarborough following her retirement from Fulford School in 1998.

She grew up in Scarborough and was a pupil at Scarborough Convent before going to teacher training college at St Katharine’s in Tottenham. Her first appointment was at Fulford School in 1964.

Former colleague, school and college friend, Rosemary Nash, said: “Christine really enjoyed teaching at Fulford School and was well respected by both pupils and colleagues.”

Miss Barrowcliff’s funeral will be held at St Martin’s Church, Seamer, where Christine worshipped and sang in the choir, on Wednesday at 11am.