A SCHOOL has paid tribute to a highly regarded chemistry teacher who died at the age of 48 from a heart attack.

Dr Steven Cooper taught at Bolton School from 2002 to 2018 and headmaster Philip Britton said he will be remembered “as a first-rate schoolmaster”.

Dr Cooper is remembered in The Boltonian, the magazine of The Old Boltonians’ Association, first published in 1899.

Mr Britton said: “Both boys and staff alike held Steven in high regard as a chemistry teacher, where his passion, intellect and teaching expertise inspired many boys.”

Dr Cooper worked as a research scientist before entering teaching, and said Mr Britton his “skill and deep knowledge of the subject transferred itself to the boys”, with him sharing cutting edge research with his classes.

Mr Britton said: “He was amongst the first group of teachers in school to begin thinking very carefully about teaching and learning, as new methods developed in the classroom; he blended those with a tremendous ability to captivate with a practical demonstration or elucidate a point with an amusing anecdote.

“No Year Seven boy who had seen him burn a school tie to show how dangerous they were in a Bunsen flame ever forgot to tuck in his tie during a chemistry lesson.

“Above all he cared about the boys and they knew he cared about them, so they tried their best in his subject.”

Dr Cooper also played an active part in the sporting life of the school, including working with those who were new to rugby to instil “a passion for the game”.

His first sporting love was said to be cricket, and he saw three pupils go on to play professionally, including one for England.

“Another has since had a national call up, and Steven would have been overjoyed to see that,” said Mr Britton, “Again, very often the boys played well because they knew he cared about them and that it mattered to him That is the magic ingredient of a consummate schoolmaster.”

Dr Cooper also introduced the school to Disability Snowsports UK, a link which still exists.

Mr Britton said: “Steven was also a Housemaster and form tutor, where his pastoral instincts helped many boys grow up and become comfortable with their character.

“In all that he did, Steven brought a first-rate intellect, a rich variety of interests. He will be missed and the school is better for him having been amongst us.”