The teacher, in her 40s, was praised as a “sweet, kind, loveable, enjoyable free soul” following her death just minutes after pupils arrived at school for their exams
07:45, 16 May 2026Updated 12:19, 16 May 2026
The teacher, named locally as Mrs Bamford, was head of business and computing
A “kind and beautiful” teacher collapsed in front of pupils and died in front of horrified pupils while they sat their GCSE exams.
The teacher collapsed at King’s School, in Winchester, minutes after pupils arrived for the beginning of the school day. An air ambulance landed at the school just before 9am on Thursday with Hampshire Police arriving at the scene shortly afterward.
Hampshire and isle of Wight Air Ambulance confirmed an “air ambulance team of a doctor and two advanced paramedics were deployed by helicopter to an incident in Winchester at 8:58am on Thursday, May 14.” Hampshire Police later commented: “We were called at 9.54am on Thursday, 14 May by ambulance colleagues to a report of a medical incident at Kings’ School in Romsey Road, Winchester.
Cards and floral tributes were left outside the school (Image: Hampshire Chronicle/Solent News)
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“Sadly a woman in her 40s was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin have been made aware. Officers attended. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.”
Hundreds of pupils paid tribute to the teacher, named locally as Mrs Bamford, who was the school’s head of business and computing, reports MailOnline. One card left outside the school said: “You were a wonderful teacher and will forever be remembered. Thank you for always being kind.”
Another said: “You were such a sweet, kind, lovable, enjoyable and free soul. You would never ever hurt a fly.
Flowers were left outside the school gates (Image: Hampshire Chronicle/Solent News)
“You have made such an impact on many peoples lives, including mine. I’m very, very and forever will be grateful for all you have ever taught me.”
King’s School spokesperson from King’s School told the outlet: “Our focus remains on supporting the family, our staff and pupils at this difficult time.
“We have no further comment to make beyond that and continue to ask that their privacy is respected. Any operational or incident-related enquiries should be directed to Hampshire Police. Thank you for your understanding on behalf of everyone at Kings.”
The highly-rated school praised the teacher (Image: Hampshire Chronicle/Solent News)
Many more pupils left tributes on social media where they praised the teacher’s kindness. One said: “Thank you for being the kind of teacher that inspired and taught with kindness and compassion. You will be so missed and you leave a hole that can never be filled. Fly high beautiful lady.”
Another posted: “One of the kindest and caring teachers. We are completely devastated by this news. Our thoughts go out to her family. She will be missed but never forgotten.”