4:55pm Friday 13th November 2009
By Alexandra Barham
A St Albans school has been left reeling over the sudden death of one of its pupils.
Liam Woods, 14, died suddenly on Remembrance Day (Tuesday) after contracting a deadly form of meninigtis.
Paying tribute to the Beaumont School pupil, headmistress Elizabeth Hitch said: "Liam joined the school a year ago and quickly became a popular member of his form. Liam played the flute and will be fondly remembered for his lovely smile.
"Liam’s death was announced in school on Remembrance Day, when an extended period of silence was held to give the whole school time to remember him quietly.
"The school community is shocked and upset and specialist counsellors are here to offer their advice and support.
"We have met Liam’s family to offer our condolences and a book of students’ memories is being put together for them."
The Health Protection Agency is treating the boy's death as an isolated case and has advised the school that staff and pupils are unlikely to be affected.
All parents of pupils have received an advice letter about the symptoms of meningitis.
A 16-year-old boy died suddenly in St Albans this morning, but ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson has ruled out any link between the deaths.
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