Dear Parent/Carer

I am sure that most of you have heard the upsetting news of the tragic death of Jay Cartmell over the weekend.   As Jay was previously a pupil at our School and very much a part of our community, his loss is felt profoundly by all of us.  We, of course, extend our heartfelt condolences to Jay’s family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Many of our older children were already aware of Jay’s passing yesterday - however, due to confidentiality guidelines from the Local Authority and the Police, we were unable to share any information at that time.  We did ensure that support was available for those who needed it.

We believe it is important for everyone to have the opportunity to express their feelings and support one another.  This morning, our Key Stage 2 children, especially those who were closest to Jay, were informed in their classes.  We discussed Jay’s death as an accident and reassured the children that such tragic circumstances are very rare.

Your child may feel the need to talk about Jay's passing, or they might prefer to keep their feelings to themselves. Regardless, it is important to provide love and support in the days ahead.  This does not mean there is anything wrong - it simply reflects the impact of this traumatic event, which can be difficult for them to process alone.  They may experience feelings of anxiety, so taking the time to listen to your child is crucial.  Maintaining a predictable routine at home can also help provide a sense of security.

Many of you may have seen media coverage regarding this incident, and we anticipate further reporting in the coming days. It is important that any information shared with our children, or what they are exposed to, is carefully considered based on their age and emotional resilience.

We are working under the advice of our Educational Psychologist and we do have access to further support if you feel that this may help your child or family - please do not hesitate to reach out.   Please see information from Child Bereavement UK which can be accessed here or via their website @ www.childbereavementuk.org.

If you require further clarification or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kindest regards

Mrs Rose