Jeremy Richardson, who was headteacher at Beckfoot Thornton, off Leaventhorpe Lane, Thornton, died today following a cycling accident in Byron Street, Barkerend, yesterday morning, the school announced in a statement this afternoon.

READ: Parents and colleagues pay tribute to Bradford headteacher who died in cycling crash

The school added it has lost an incredible leader and a wonderful man.

In a letter to parents from Beckfoot Trust, published on the school's website, Shirley Watson, Chief Executive Officer of Beckfoot Trust, says the school was transformed under his leadership.  

Book of Condolence: Your tributes to Beckfoot Thornton headteacher Jeremy Richardson

She said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of Beckfoot Thornton’s Headteacher, Jeremy Richardson, on Thursday, June 23, following a cycling accident.

"Our community has lost an incredible leader and a wonderful man, and his wife and three children a much-loved and devoted husband and father.

“Our school and Trust community, and the world of education as a whole, owes so much to Jeremy and his commitment to deliver the best outcomes for every student and staff member in his care.

Jeremy Richardson, the headteacher of Beckfoot Thornton, has died following a cycling accident

“Despite our deep grief, our overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude, and I know that everyone who had the privilege of calling Jeremy a friend, mentor, colleague, teacher or headteacher feels hugely fortunate to have done so, and that his impact and influence will live on in all of us.

“We are sending all our thoughts, and providing the necessary support, to Jeremy’s family at this incredibly sad time and we would ask that their privacy is respected.

“We are providing support to students and staff at the school and across our Trust where needed, and details will follow in due course about our plans to commemorate and celebrate Jeremy’s life.”

Sally Trusselle will be acting headteacher at Beckfoot Thornton, in an interim arrangement.

The school will be closed to its students tomorrow for a staff training day, as already planned before Mr Richardson's death was announced. 

Mr Richardson was a former Ofsted inspector and Department for Education advisor.

He became the headteacher at Beckfoot Thornton School initially on an interim basis in April 2017. He was appointed executive headteacher two years later. 

The school became an academy in September 2016 as part of the Trust, which also runs Beckfoot School in Bingley, and Beckfoot Upper Heaton, formerly Belle Vue Boys.

West Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision.

Officers were called to reports of a vehicle in collision with a cyclist in Byron Street at 6.38am yesterday.

The cyclist, a man aged 61 from Leeds, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He has since passed away.

The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene and is helping police with their enquiries.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, or who has dash cam footage of the collision itself.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the LiveChat at westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus or 101 quoting log 245 of 22 June.