Tributes have been paid to Amanda Jones, a popular teacher at Calne’s John Bentley School, who died suddenly on Sunday.

Staff and students have been left in shock after Mrs Jones, who lived in Whitley, near Melksham, collapsed while out jogging in the village on Sunday evening and later died in hospital, aged just 41.

She leaves behind her husband Andy and their two young sons, aged three and five. The couple would have celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary this year.

Mrs Jones had been an English and media studies teacher at John Bentley since 2003, where she was very popular among staff and pupils.

Mr Jones described his wife as a doting mother. He said: “She was devoted to the children and tried to open as many doors as she could for the two boys.

“She was absolutely passionate about reading and it was a big part of her life.”

Her sister Kate Jones, one of three younger sisters, described Amanda as someone who loved her job and threw herself into whatever she did.

She said: “The phrase full of life could have been coined for Mandi, and that’s how we will remember her, with fun and energy brought to every aspect of her life. If you spent two minutes with her you would be laughing your head off.”

Kate added that her sister also loved cooking and outdoor adventures, and still had a bright orange VW camper van that she had bought aged 21. She also had a passion for steam engines, which she shared with her sons.

Mrs Jones was a Year 10 tutor and also served as the staff representative for the NASUWT teaching union.

A statement released by the school said: “Amanda was an extremely dedicated and popular teacher of English and media studies, forming excellent relationships with all the students in her care.

“Students also remember very fondly her annual leadership of fishing trips during the school’s enrichment week as well as her enthusiasm for dressing up as popular characters from children’s books.

“Amanda is remembered for her dedication to children as well as a superb sense of humour.”

Social networks have been flooded with messages from grieving students, painting a picture of a teacher loved by those she taught.

Sister Kate said: “She was hugely popular and we’d like to say as a family we’ve been really overwhelmed with the response from the school and particularly from her students, and we would like to say how grateful we are.”

The family are arranging a private family funeral and hope to arrange a celebration of her life for friends, colleagues and her students, at a later date.

The family have requested family flowers only, donations if desired to Winston’s Wish or Cancer Research UK, care of H Merrett Funeral Directors, Pickwick Road, Corsham. Telephone: (01249) 713134.