A TEEN girl has been found dead in a dormitory at a top £32,000-a-year private
school in a suspected incident of self-harm.
The 18-year-old sixth former, who has not yet been identified, died at
Gresham’s School in Holt, Norfolk.
Paramedics were called to the scene but failed to resuscitate the girl and she
was pronounced dead.
The school, which has around 480 pupils in its senior school, including 300
boarders, confirmed she was found dead in her dormitory block at 7.30am on
Saturday.
Boarding fees at the top private school cost parents £31,950-a-year.
Norfolk Police, who were called by East of England Ambulance Service, have
begun an investigation into the girl’s death, but say there are no
suspicious circumstances.
A statement from the school said: “Gresham’s School can confirm a pupil
was found unconscious early on Saturday morning in their dormitory on the
school premises.
“Emergency Services were immediately called and on arrival they
determined that the young woman had tragically lost her life. Her death is
not being treated as suspicious.
“The family was immediately notified and some family members attended the
school later on Saturday and were met by the headmaster who offered his
condolences on behalf of the whole School.
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“The identity of the pupil concerned will remain confidential for the
immediate period out of respect for the family.”
Douglas Robb, the Headmaster of Gresham’s, said: “We are all
devastated by the death of a much loved and cherished pupil. The thoughts
and prayers of the whole School are with the family and friends of the young
woman.”
Gresham’s School boasts on its website that it provides “a high
quality, fully rounded education to boys and girls”.
It adds: “Young people are prepared for rewarding personal and
professional lives with the intellect, personal and social qualities and
skills needed to make a positive difference to the communities in which they
live.”
The school occupies several sites in the up-market Georgian town of Holt close
to the north Norfolk coast and was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham, who
later became Lord Mayor of London.
It has been touted by some locals as a potential future school for Prince
George and Princess Charlotte who live nearby at Anmer Hall on the
Sandringham estate.
The school has seven houses for day pupils and boarders, which are currently
undergoing a programme of refurbishment.
Younger pupils sleep in small dormitories while older pupils have study
bedrooms and most sixth formers have their own room, according to the
Gresham’s website.
Famous former pupils of Gresham’s include vacuum cleaner tycoon Sir James
Dyson, actress Olivia Colman and composer Benjamin Britten.
The Duchess of Cambridge met young pupils from the school in March when she
opened the new East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices shop in Holt.
A Norfolk Police spokesman said: “Police were called to an address in
Cromer Road, Holt, shortly after 7.30am on Saturday 30 April following
reports that the body of an 18-year-old woman had been discovered.
“Paramedics attended but the woman was sadly confirmed dead at the scene.
The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for
Her Majesty’s Coroner.”