Tributes to 'talented' student after body found

Floral tributes have been left on the beach at Binstead

A secondary school has paid tribute to one of its "uniquely talented" students after his body was found by police.

Chris Koppany, 18, was last seen at a beach near Binstead on the Isle of Wight at about 19:00 BST on Thursday.

On Saturday morning, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said officers discovered the body of a man believed to be the teenager.

Ryde Academy has emailed parents and carers to pay tribute to Mr Koppany, who attended the school since he was in Year 7.

Will Doyle, vice-principal of Ryde Academy, said: "He will be remembered with great fondness by staff and students alike.

Ryde Academy has emailed parents and carers to pay tribute to Chris Koppany

“We were all devastated to hear the tragic news about Chris Koppany, and our immediate thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this impossibly difficult time."

Mr Doyle added: "Chris was a wonderful, intelligent student and talented artist, he embodied the spirit of Ryde as he strived to be remarkable everyday.

"He was always willing to support events, whether it be showing people around at open evenings, baking for our Macmillan coffee morning or building a wooden car prop for a dance show with very short notice, he was uniquely talented in so many ways."

Flowers have been left on the beach at Binstead in tribute to Mr Koppany.

'Desperate tragedy'

Mr Doyle spoke of the "bright future" that Mr Koppany had ahead of him, as the student had secured a place at The Arts University in Plymouth to study Craft and Material Practices.

Ryde Academy opened its sixth form area from 09:00 BST to allow students, parents, staff and the wider school community to "come together to support each other".

“Our focus now is on providing support to the school community as we all come to terms with this heartbreaking news," Mr Doyle said.

"The death of a student is one of the hardest things a school ever has to face. It is always a desperate tragedy, and particularly so under such circumstances."