It is with extreme sadness that I must inform you that one of our students in Year 10, Simeon Ashton, died yesterday afternoon.  Mrs Deer and myself have been in contact with Simeon’s family today.  Understandably they are devastated.  It is with their agreement that we are sharing this very sad news with you.

I know that this will come as a terrible shock to every member of the Paulet family, and that everyone will be extremely upset.  Simeon was a very popular young man with many good friends.  In the words of his teachers he was ‘the life and soul of my top set Year 10 group in a totally good way’, he ‘had the unique ability to delight and frustrate at the same time’ and ‘he was always smiling, friendly and curious’.

On a personal note, I will always remember Simeon as a caring and polite student who was always willing to help anyone in our school.

The school has been liaising with the Local Authority and the Police and we have taken advice from several bereavement charities.  Although impossible now, when the school re-opens we will remember Simeon in a way that he would’ve loved!

We are in the process of accessing remote counselling support for members of our community who reach out to us; please contact v.deer@paulet.co.uk if you would like to discuss support.

We are closely liaising with Simeon’s family and will be making no further comment at this time.  I would ask the community to respect the privacy of the family at this very sensitive and sad time.

Simeon will always be in our hearts; may he now rest in peace.

Ian McArthur

Headteacher