Heartfelt messages and personal condolences have been posted online from people who knew The Holt School teacher, James Furlong.

The news has left students, parents and teachers shocked within the school's community. 

SHARE YOUR MESSAGES: The Reading Chronicle has opened an online book of condolence to bring together tributes to teacher James Furlong.

Lia, who is a former pupil of Mr Furlong, said: "Mr Furlong was my history teacher and my sixth form tutor whilst I was at The Holt School and I wanted to say that he was such a kind person with a witty sense of humour, he was so passionate about his subject and encouraging us to share the same passion.

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"This really is a tragic loss for the school and the local community. There are an abundance of students, past and present, who can attest for this."

Keith Power, whose daughter Scarlett was a current pupil of Mr Furlong, added: "He just a really lovely guy.

"He was so helpful and supportive of my daughter Scarlett. Had a real passion for history & teaching.

"[He was] So caring of his pupils. It’s so senseless. [There is] So much hatred in the world right now. I fear for my kids' futures."

Jade, who was a student from The Holt from 2012 to 2017, said: "Mr Furlong was a funny and kind teacher. He always made History fun and entertaining. History was always one of my favourite subjects and Mr Furlong always encouraged it."

Tributes 

In utter shock, the world is such a cruel place. RIP Mr Furlong 💔

— Katie (@kruffles2000) June 21, 2020

Incredibly sad to hear the loss of Mr Furlong. He was a brilliant teacher to me during my time at The Holt and always taught with enthusiasm and was very kind to us. Devastating for life to be lost in such a heartless way.

— Tammy Armstrong (@Tammy_amber96) June 21, 2020

Such a horrible world we live in :( RIP Mr Furlong 💔 one of the loveliest teachers, taken far too soon 😢

— Freya 🐻 (@FreyaOverton) June 21, 2020

Rest in peace Mr Furlong 💔 One of the nicest teachers I’ve had 💗

— Stacey (@shmxgol) June 21, 2020

Rest in perfect peace Mr Furlong🙏🏼 the events taken place last night are horrific and it just makes it even closer to home when you know the person😔 truly heartbreaking, RIP❤️

— Scarlett Davis (@scarlz_davis) June 21, 2020

I just found out that my Year 8 History teacher, Mr Furlong, was one of the 3 killed in the #ReadingAttack. I can't even being to process this. It almost doesn't seem real.

Rest In Peace Mr Furlong 😭💔#ForburyGardens#ForburyGardensAttack pic.twitter.com/IvJlloUeJH

— JADE // PRIDE MONTH 🏳️‍🌈 (@KittyKat3801) June 21, 2020

Can’t even put into words how sad I feel for all the families of people that where affected yesterday, heartbreaking to think it was one of the loveliest teachers at Holt Mr Furlong that died. What a horrible horrible world we live in☹️

— Em🤍 (@emlev_27) June 21, 2020

I've spoken to several people who had paid their respects to Mr Furlong.

One former student told me: "Mr Furlong was my history teacher and my sixth form tutor whilst I was at The Holt School and I wanted to say that he was such a kind person with a witty sense of humour...

— Ollie Sirrell (@OllieSirrellLDR) June 21, 2020

Devastated to discover that James Furlong, one of the victims of the Reading stabbings, was a teacher at the Holt.
His loss is a devastating blow to his family, colleagues, students, the wider Holt family and our whole community.
Our thoughts are with them all.

— Wokingham Labour (@WokinghamLabour) June 21, 2020