The head teacher of the Yesodey Hatorah Girls High School in Hackney, North London has died after an illness.

Rachel Pinter, who was awarded the OBE for services to education in 2008, was the wife of the school’s trustee Rabbi Avraham Pinter.

Under her tutelage, the school became state-aided in 2006 and is rated outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

A spokesman for the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations said that Mrs Pinter was “ very dedicated, very well-liked and highly respected.

"It is a tragic loss for the whole community. She affected thousands of people’s lives for good".