School offers support after pupil's sudden death

Charley Pointon, 14, was a student at Discovery Academy, where staff and pupils knew her affectionately as "our little firecracker”

A school is offering support to its pupils and the wider community after the sudden death of a 14-year-old student.

Year nine pupil Charley Pointon died last Friday, staff at Discovery Academy in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent confirmed.

The school will be open to the community this Friday, with bereavement counsellors available to speak to, they said.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious, Staffordshire Police confirmed.

'Harrowing time'

Charley was affectionately known as "our little firecracker,” said assistant principal Becky Luby.

"Not because she was hot-headed, but because she would always speak up for the things she believed in," she said.

She would always be remembered for "her kindness, beautiful nature and the smiles she put on our faces", Ms Luby added.

Principal Jayne Schofield said the school would do everything it could to support Charley's family, staff, pupils and the wider community, at this "harrowing time."

The academy will be open to the community between 11:00 and 13:00 GMT on Friday, for students and families wanting to talk or spend time together, said the school.

Bereavement counsellors from the Dove Service will also be in attendance.