Margaret Manders, the former principal of West End Primary known for forging a welcoming and close-knit atmosphere at the school, has died at the age of 90.

Mrs Manders, who served as headteacher from 1978 to 1989, was “highly respected by parents, teachers and children”, former principal Sinclair Richards recalled.

“She was a very quiet individual, never excitable and never shouting, always cool and calm but every effective,” Mr Richards said. “She always had things under control.”

Mrs Manders had started as a teacher of young children, heading the infants’ department before taking over the reading programme, ultimately becoming the school’s sixth principal.

“I valued her services highly; she was one of those who earned respect — she spoke her opinion, but controlled the students with a quiet voice,” Mr Richards added.

Fellow teacher Veronica Phillips recalled meeting Mrs Manders, in the West End classrooms more than 50 years ago. Her career had begun in 1954.

“She was passionate about teaching,” Ms Phillips said, noting Mrs Manders had been her daughter’s first teacher.

“When she became principal, she had an amazing influence on the life and culture of both the pupils and staff. She brought a sense of calm to the school.”

Mrs Manders, she said, was “humble but very professional” and “willing to listen and support what staff wanted”, with a firm commitment to teaching and learning.

She also created “a sense of community within the school, where we felt like family”.

“She kept that good relationship up until the time of her death, fulfilling a role of mother to us as a team.”

That respect for her, Mrs Phillips added, extended through the West End community.

The widow of the late Quinton Manders, Mrs Manders is survived by her daughter Jennifer Manders.

The couple had another daughter, the late Christine Manders.