An Ilkley preparatory school is planning to build an outdoor classroom to honour the memory of its former head teacher.

Charles Holloway was 53 and head master of Westville House School on Carters Lane, Middleton, when he died tragically and unexpectedly on January 23.

His death shocked the school community where he had worked since the summer of 1995.

Rosey James, who has worked at the school since the 1990s having joined as a maths and science teacher before becoming deputy headteacher, was appointed acting head teacher following Mr Holloway’s death and became head teacher in April.

Before she came to Ilkley Mrs James worked as a teacher in Namibia and Zimbabwe in Africa where she used the great outdoors and the desert to excite pupils.

Mrs James, who is originally from Zimbabwe, is now using this experience to inspire her plans to create an outdoor classroom in memory of Mr Holloway.

Plans have been drawn up for the classroom and nature trail which will be built in the grounds of Westville House.

Mrs James said she hoped the building of the classroom would allow pupils and staff to remember Mr Holloway but also move from the distress caused by his sudden death earlier this year.

She said: “The new outdoor classroom will add another dimension to our teaching methods.

“At Westville we have always embraced the traditional with the modern and using the beautiful surroundings in the Wharfedale valley can only further inspire both teachers and pupils.”