Teen wasn't distressed before she died, says nurse

Georgia Scarff was described as "kind and thoughtful" by her family

A school nurse who assessed a teenager after concerns were raised about her mental health said she "presented confidently and wasn't distressed" before her death.

Georgia Scarff, 16, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, died after being hit by a lorry on the westbound carriageway of the A14 at about 01:30 BST on 15 April 2024.

Deborah Sweeney, the health centre manager at the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, told the inquest at Suffolk Coroner's Court that while she was "concerned" about Georgia her death was "the last thing I thought I was going to hear".

"I was really shocked, terribly upset, and I just couldn't believe what I was hearing," Ms Sweeney said.

"In an environment like ours, where we perceive ourselves to be caring, it is quite hard when something like this happens.

"I have gone through this many times in my head, I have thought 'How have we missed this?', and that can torment you because you want to be able to help," she added.

Sixteen-year-old Georgia died in a collision on the A14 near Bury St Edmunds

The incident, which involved a HGV, occurred between junctions 44 and 43 on the A14 near Bury St Edmunds and Georgia died at the scene.

During the inquest the court heard how Georgia was a boarding student at the Royal Hospital School, where fees range from £22,000 and £52,000 per year.

While she was on the school's watch list, which comprises of students who "may need extra care", she was not put on a welfare care plan.

At court questions were also raised about the effectiveness and efficiency of the school's safeguarding and wellbeing platform, CPOMS.

Georgia Scarff was due to sit her GCSE exams before moving onto her A-levels

Georgia first came to the attention of Ms Sweeney, a nurse of almost 44 years, in January 2024, after her mother, Jenny Scarff, raised concerns about her mental state.

The court was told that emails sent to the school between January 2023 and January 2024 by Mrs Scarff referenced how Georgia had a "sense of hopelessness" about her.

Ms Sweeney said that Mrs Scarff explained to her that Georgia had been complaining of feeling sick when at home and presented as "someone who was suffering from anxiety".

"If a parent ever says that they are worried about their child I take that very seriously and I was concerned about how we could help Georgia," added Ms Sweeney.

The nurse told the inquest she had a 30-40 minute appointment with the teenager, which ended with Georgia agreeing to see a counsellor.

"Georgia said she was really worried about the decision for sixth form but she presented confidently, she wasn't distressed and spoke articulately," she said.

"She was very polite and respectful and I can honestly say there was nothing in that meeting that gave me a cause for concern," she said.

The inquest continues.