A pupil at a secondary school has died, the headteacher has confirmed.

Elliot Peters, a year ten pupil at Helena Romanes School in Great Dunmow, is understood to have passed away on Friday.

The school closed early after the news, with headteacher Simon Knight posting a letter on the school's website.

The letter said: "I am sad to inform you that we have received upsetting news today.

"One of our year ten students, Elliot Peters has passed away.

"I have told year ten and year 11 students about our loss in assembly this afternoon.

"We will create memorial books in commemoration of Elliot, in which students may wish to write or sketch.

"If your daughter or son would like to bring flowers, we are creating a special place in school for them.

"We will give thought to a suitable celebration for Elliot’s life in due course."

The school has offered students support from bereavement counsellors and Mr Knight ended his letter by saying everyone at the school's thoughts were with Elliot's family and friends.