THE headteacher whose vision helped transform a Basingstoke school has lost his battle with cancer.

Jeffrey Threlfall - named as the country's best secondary school headteacher in 2006 - died, aged 52, surrounded by his family at his home near Winchester.

His death came on October 11, just one day after he received his CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Threlfall was appointed executive headteacher at John Hunt of Everest Community School, Popley, in June 2006, as part of an innovative partnership with Wildern School, in Hedge End, near Southampton, where he was headteacher.

He was tasked with helping to turn around the struggling Popley school - now relocated to Merton Rise and renamed Everest Community College.

Mr Threlfall provided support for former headteacher Lesley Phillipson, who retired last November, and current headteacher Julie Rose.

Ms Rose said: "We do owe him a huge debt of gratitude because it's down to his vision that we are here and open today.

"It was him using his transformational leadership skills that laid the firm foundations.

"He put the right people in to do the job, possibly because he knew he might not be around to do it.

"He was a great man and a great man to work for. I found his drive and determination to improve education for all children inspiring."

John Samuels, chair of Everest's interim executive board, said: "It's an absolutely tragic loss. I have known Jeffrey for nearly 20 years - his contribution to education in Hampshire is absolutely immense."

Mr Threlfall's efforts saw him appointed a CBE in the Queen's birthday honours list in June. In 2006, he won the UK Royal Air Force Teaching Award for Headteacher of the Year in a secondary school.

In a joint statement, Councillor David Kirk, Hampshire County Council's executive member for children's services, and John Coughlan, director of children's services, said Mr Threlfall had been an inspirational headteacher.

They said: "His death represents a terrible loss to children's services in the county and he will be greatly missed by all those who worked with him."

Mr Threlfall was born in London and began his career as a maths teacher.

He is survived by his wife Pam and children Greg and Amy.

A memorial service will be held in Winchester Cathedral on Monday, November 19, at 2pm.