The headmaster of a top independent school has tragically died of cancer aged just 48.

Tributes have been paid to Richard Marshall, who was the tenth headmaster of Ashville College in Harrogate, North Yorks.

Mr Marshall's three children, Ethan, Emily and Harry, are students at the school and his wife Kym is also on the teaching staff.

Acting head Elspeth Fisher said it was "an incredibly sad day" as the school paid tribute to Mr Marshall, who had been headmaster for three years.

Ashville's chair of governors Jamie Search described Mr Marshall as an "outstanding leader who has been tragically taken from us far too early".

Mr Search said: “Richard joined Ashville following a rigorous interview process and was the unanimous choice of the Governing Body.

"That decision proved to be the right one as from the outset he fully immersed himself in Ashville life and focused on the education of our pupils.

“He brought a drive and determination to improve all aspects of Ashville.

"As a scientist he loved technology and data and the level of detail he delved into was immense, for the betterment of every pupil.

"He had a good deal of business acumen that is vital for any modern school head and worked tirelessly to maximise the use of every pound."

A basketball fanatic, Mr Marshall represented England in the sport as a schoolboy at Under 15, 19 and 23 age levels.

He also played for the British University England team and was captain of his team at the University of Birmingham.

He added the sport to the school's curriculum when he joined from Bury Grammar School for Boys where he had been headmaster for four years.

And he recruited former NBA player Voise Winters from the US to coach the school's basketball team.

On his arrival at the school, Mr Marshall described Ashville as “truly unique”, and a “successful day and boarding school with a global identity and perspective”.

He said he looked forward “to building on the successes of previous Headmasters and leading the school in its exciting next stage of development”.

Video Loading

His three young children started the school Ashville the same day he became its Headmaster.

Under Mr Marshall's leadership, Ashville's pupil numbers have risen to record levels and the school launched a kindergarten franchise in Hong Kong.

It also earned accreditation to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), an international association that works to maintain standards in education.

Last year, Ashville was rated as a “great school” in the highly influential Good Schools Guide (GSG).

The author of the entry said of the school: "The common sense of purpose that runs from the Head and Governors down to the youngest child in Acorns is very strong”.

Mr Marshall was a biochemistry graduate and had an MSc in Science Communication from Imperial College London.

He described himself as “loving technology” and was an advocate of using technology in the classroom to improve pupil outcomes.

Mr Search added: "Improving the facilities at Ashville was always on his mind and he oversaw the refurbishment of our Sixth Form Centre, two boys boarding houses and the first phase of the Dining Room expansion and upgrade project.

“All here at Ashville are absolutely devastated and we will continue to support Kym and the children in any way we can.”

A service celebrating Mr Marshall’s life will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made in his memory to Saint Michael’s Hospice, the school said.