Headteacher Andy Packer has told of the moment on Saturday he received a phone call to tell him a second pupil in fourmonths had died in tragic circumstances.

John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge was slowly recovering from the trauma of the death of 13-year-old Zina Hereward-Isaac, who was found dead at her home in the town in May.

Mr Packer was at home when a member of staff rang to say she had heard a rumour that 15-year-old Year 11 student Francis Scane had also been found dead at home.

“My reaction was just disbelief,” he said. “It was shock, and numbness.

“I just took a moment to sit quietly to think and I realised I needed to react in a way that was best for the school, the family and the wider community.”

After speaking to police to confirm his worst fears he began to contact key members of staff and arranged to meet them at the school the next day to prepare for the arrival of pupils on Monday.

But the need to support Francis’ friends in Year 11 was never far from his mind.

“I realised that they would want to be together somewhere so I began to ring her friends. Because of the kind of school we have here we know the pupils and who their closest friends are.

“I told them that we would be at the school on Sunday and that they would be welcome to come in and just be together.”

More than 50 of Francis’ friends gathered at the school the next day. “They were very subdued and in shock but we were able to give them some guidance,” said Mr Packer.”

He said that just the Friday before he had called the Year 11s to a special assembly. “I wanted to tell them how well they had begun the year. I had told them I thought they could be the highest achieving Year 11 we have ever had. On Sunday I told them I knew they would be.”

Mr Packer and his key staff spent Sunday deciding how to tailor the news for each year group. Year 11 was out of school this week for work experience, Francis had been due to spend the week with the Royal Engineers.

“I wrote to all the employers to let them know what had happened. They have all been superb, the whole community has supported the school,” he said.

Pupils were told the grim news on Monday morning. Mr Packer was so concerned about the effect on new pupils who have only been at the school two weeks he spoke to them all together.

“I told them they shouldn’t be quiet. I wanted them to be light, I wanted them to laugh and to play football. They, like all the students, have responded magnificently,” he said.

After Zina’s death in May educational psychologists from Wiltshire Council spent time at the school. They have been back again this week, counselling not just pupils but staff as well.

“This has had a very deep affect on the staff. On Tuesday I asked for one EP to be dedicated to the staff,” said Mr Packer.

“I gathered the staff together on Monday to tell them what had happened. Many of them did not know what had happened until I said Francis’ name so it was a great shock.”

After Zina’s death Mr Packer said it was the worst situation he had had to deal with in 30 years. He cannot have imagined having to deal with the same situation again, especially after such a short space of time.

He is aware the emotional toll on him has yet to tell.

“You just keep going, you have to. I have had wonderful support from the governors, the local authority and all of my staff.

“It is so hard to lose Francis. We feel like a treasure has been taken from us.”