Tributes have been paid to Yesodey Hatorah Girls' High School head Rachel Pinter, who died last Thursday, aged 67.

A teacher for more than 40 years, Mrs Pinter had headed the strictly Orthodox Yesodey Hatorah since 2005, overseeing its transition to a state-aided school rated "outstanding" by Ofsted. She was awarded an OBE for services to education in 2008.

A school representative said staff and pupils were "shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of their beloved head", who was the wife of Rabbi Avraham Pinter.

"Her relentless drive to encourage every individual to achieve their maximum potential will forever remain a legacy. Her sole wish was to run her life according to God's will and not to be swayed by external factors."

A spokesperson for the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations said her passing was "a tragic loss for the whole community. She affected thousands of people's lives for good."

She was awarded an OBE in 2008 for services to education