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The teaching assistant found dead after being 'hit with a chair by a pupil' was a father-of-three who has been described by friends as a "true gentleman".

Lee Sims, 31, was found dead at a house in Brackla, Bridgend, on Sunday morning.

He was a teaching assistant at Ysgol Bryn Castell in Bryncethin, Bridgend.

Tributes on social media described Lee as a "top boy".

One friend wrote: "Absolute terrible news, thinking of you and the family, Lee was a top boy, I’m gutted."

Another said: "Sending all my love , I was only just recently talking about Lee and how amazing he was when i worked with him in YBC."

Laura Webb said: "Thinking of you all. I only spoke to lee a few times at the rugby and he was a lovely boy xx sending all my love."

Craig Kift simply wrote: "True gentleman."

(Image: MEDIA WALES)

Lee's cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

The school, which is a special school for 147 pupils aged seven to 19 rated good by inspectors Estyn, is shut today while investigations are carried out.

South Wales Police were unable to confirm details but said in a statement: “Police in Bridgend are investigating the unexplained death of a 31-year- old man who was found dead at a property in the Brackla area on Sunday morning.

“A post-mortem examination is due to take place later today to try and establish the cause of death.”

(Image: Facebook)

A parent of a child who attends the school campus expressed sorry at the news and praised the standard of teachers at the school.

They said: “I am devastated at the news a member of staff has died."

“They are an amazing staff who make our children a part of their family.

“My thoughts are with the family of the member of staff who has died and all the staff at Ysgol Bryn Castell at this time of immense devastation.”

A message on Ysgol Bryn Castell’s twitter feed from headteacher Helen Ridout apologised that the school had been closed due to "unforeseen" circumstances.

Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for education and regeneration at Bridgend Council, said: “There was an incident with a pupil earlier in the week and the teacher has died later.

“The school is closed today while investigations are made and police are involved.

“Our first concern is the welfare of the teacher’s family. Pupils are getting support."

Ysgol Bryn Castell and it’s Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are shut today while police investigate, but the pupil referral unit, The Bridge, is open.