A super-strict headmaster who banned pupils from wearing lipstick and fake tan found dead at his home had suffered a marriage breakdown, MailOnline can reveal.
Gary Vyse, who hit the headlines after he criticised parents for allowing their children to wear heavy make-up, was discovered at his home in Kent during the half term holiday.
His body was found by police after they were called earlier this week to his home where he lived alone.
Gary Vyse, 37, a super-strict headmaster known for banning false eyelashes and fake tan who was found dead at his home had suffered a breakdown of his marriage, MailOnline can reveal
Mr Vyse, a father of two young children, saw his marriage to wife Kathy breakdown around 2014. Kathy (pictured) is in a new relationship, said she did not want to comment on his death
Mr Vyse criticised parents in June 2016 for allowing pupils at Hundred Of Hoo Academy in Rochester, Kent, to wear heavy make-up, telling them: ‘School is not a fashion parade’
Police said they are not treating his death as suspicious. Mr Vyse, a father of two young children, saw the breakdown of his marriage in around 2014.
In October 2016, he was arrested for drink driving after crashing his BMW car near his parents home in Kent.
His family did not want to comment on his death, nor did his ex-wife Kathy, 34, a science teacher. When asked about his death at her Gillingham, Kent, home, she replied: ‘I’d rather not say anything.’
Mr Vysewas was arrested for drink driving after crashing his BMW car near his parents home in Kent in October 2016
Kathy, who teaches at Rochester Grammar School, has recently celebrated the birth of her third child with partner Adam Memmott, with whom she has been in a relationship since 2015.
Photos posted on Facebook show Kathy with her two children and the newborn baby boy.
Mr Vyse’s death has left family, colleagues, former pupils and friends stunned.
Kelly Tolhurst, Conservative MP for Rochester and Strood, said: ‘I am devastated and so very sad to hear the news. I am so very proud of Gary and what he has done for education in Medway.
‘He was one of our best and we were so lucky he was here. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and pupils at this horrendous time. A tragic loss.’
The police have said there are no suspicious circumstances and have not released any further details.
Mr Vyse’s body was found at his £350,000 semi detached home in Rochester, Kent, at 9.30pm on Monday.
Neighbours said they saw police and paramedics at the home on Monday but since he moved in 18 months ago they rarely saw him.
Mr Vyse was known as an inspirational teacher with no nonsense approach to discipline and hit the headlines in June 2016 by banning pupils from wearing make-up at the Hundred of Hoo Academy in Kent.
Kathy Vyse, a science teacher, has been in a new relationship since 2015 and has gone on to have a third child with her new partner
He criticised parents for allowing their children to attend school in heavy makeup saying it wasn’t a ‘fashion parade’.
Weeks later he made headlines again after crashing his BMW car while twice over the legal limit.
After pleading guilty at Mid Kent Magistrates’ in October 2016 he was banned from driving for 18 months and apologised for the ‘moment’s recklessness’ which had caused him embarrassment.
In a statement he said: ‘Many will know of my ‘no excuses’ policy for pupils at my school and that is something that I myself also live by.
‘My actions were wrong and this is something I will always regret. I would like to apologise for what has happened, and reassure you that the moment of recklessness which has caused great embarrassment for me, was incredibly out of character and it’s certainly not something I condone.’
His bosses said they were disappointed by his actions but added they were ‘aware of the extenuating circumstances that surrounded Mr Vyse that preceded the incident.’
He was in charge of six schools across Kent as chief executive of the Williamson Trust and was considered one of the most influential educational leaders in the area.
Williamson Trust chairman Michael Costello said: ‘It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Mr Gary Vyse, the chief executive of The Williamson Trust.
‘Mr Vyse passed away at home on Monday, February 12. We are all shocked and saddened by the loss of such a strong and influential leader.
‘Gary was an extraordinary individual with a passion for education, and a real drive to do the best for the trust, its staff and its students.
‘Gary had been part of the trust since its inception in April 2011. He was always dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for the children of the trust.
‘The Williamson Trust’s board of directors and senior leadership team will help guide our schools as we come to terms with the loss of Gary.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family and friends.’
Andrew Mackness, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, said: ‘I am deeply shocked and saddened by today’s tragic news about Gary.
‘As well as being someone I valued as a professional friend and colleague, Gary had been a leading light in driving real improvement in education in Medway and in shaping the way we educate our young people.
‘His track record, drive and energy in championing education was outstanding and he will leave a lasting legacy for which we are very grateful.
‘Our thoughts at this very sad time are with his family and all the students and staff of The Williamson Trust family who we know will miss him greatly.’
Dominic Herrington, regional schools commissioner for South East and South London, said: ‘I am deeply saddened by this news.
‘We always had the utmost respect for Gary’s dedication to improving the life chances of children at The Williamson Trust. Our thoughts are with his family and those who knew him.’
Former students and friends took to social media to praise Mr Wyse for his work. Carmen Jane Robinson posted on Facebook: ‘If it’s true about Gary Vyse then it’s very sad news and my thoughts go out to his young family.’
Corrine Simmons posted: ‘I’m so shocked and saddened by this news. He was honestly one of the best mentors and teachers I ever had throughout my time at Hundred of Hoo!
‘Helped me through a lot in school (2003-2008), was always there for me and was always a great laugh. Always pushed you to do your best and you could always tell he was so proud!’
Mr Vyse rose to prominence during a glittering teaching career. He became head teacher of the Hundred of Hoo Academy in September 2011.
The academy had been placed into special measures in April 2009, but by December 2012 Ofsted rated it ‘good’.
Under his guidance, the academy rose to the top 20 per cent of secondary schools in England and Wales for the pupils’ progress.
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