Leading figures from Leeds’ Jewish community have sent their condolences to a local Catholic school after a teacher was stabbed to death by one of its pupils earlier this week.

Religious education and Spanish teacher Ann Maguire, 61, died on Monday, shortly after being attacked and repeatedly stabbed by a 15-year-old pupil at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds.

Rabbi Daniel Levy of United Hebrew Congregation, who is also chief of education for the Leeds Jewish Education Authority, paid tribute to Ms Maguire.

He said: “A Jewish teacher in our shul told me that he knew her and regarded her highly. Likewise, many of the gentiles that I know locally who were taught by her told me of her commitment and love.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and wishes go out to her family and students and the teaching community in Leeds.”

Our wishes go out to her family, students and fellow teachers

Head of Brodetsky Jewish Primary School Jeremy Dunford said the school had sent personal condolences to Corpus Christi and that “our thoughts are with them at this time”.

He added he was “impressed with the response of the staff and student body and commend the organisation on how it is dealing with this tragic event”.

Rabbi Jason Kleiman of Beth Hamidrash Hagadol said the synagogue had sent its “heartfelt condolences and prayers for healing to all in the school community of Corpus Christi, and particularly to the family of the late Ms Maguire.

“Through the spirit of togetherness characterised by the school’s beautiful philosophy, ‘Together we work, learn, pray, grow’, may you [have] the combined emotional and psychological support to remain strong at this very difficult time.”