TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenage pupil at a Witham school who has died after a short illness.

The boy, 14, who was in Year Ten at Maltings Academy, died on Monday at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Pupils were informed during a special assembly at the school on Tuesday.

John Szynal, executive principal, said: “I can confirm that we have been informed of the very sad loss of a 14-year-old student after a short battle against illness.

“He was a very likeable lad who worked really hard at school and loved science. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him in school.

“I informed his Year Ten colleagues at a special assembly at the start of Tuesday morning, and then other year groups during the day.

“They were deeply shocked at the news, but we are a strong and very close-knit community and will do everything we can to provide support, strength and guidance to one another at this extremely sad occasion.

Students and staff join me in expressing our most sincere commiserations to his family at this deeply distressing and traumatic time.”