West Kirby Grammar School will be offering support to students affected by the death of Jessica Baker, as they return to lessons today.
The 15-year-old student died on Friday when a bus she was travelling to school on reportedly hit a reservation and overturned on the M53 near Eastham. The driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Stephen Shrimpton, also died.
School head, Simeon Clarke, has said she was “an unassuming, polite and conscientious student who exemplified the values of our school”, and had represented the school in rock climbing competitions.
Mr Clarke revealed that they will this week start the work of discussing with pupils the most fitting way to celebrate her life.
He said: “Jessica will be greatly and sadly missed by her friends, teammates, classmates, and all at West Kirby Grammar School who had the pleasure and privilege to encounter her.
“As we return to school this week, we will continue to work closely with her family and friends to ensure that we celebrate Jessica’s life in the most fitting way possible.
“These are difficult and challenging times, but I have always had and continue to have great belief in the strength of our community to support one another and pull together in times of need.
“We are extremely proud of the way in which students and the school community have responded to the events of Friday. We have already put in place a comprehensive programme of support for staff and students and we will look at how we might be able to develop this support further this week to parents and carers.”
Jessica’s family have described her as “a warm hearted wonderful daughter, granddaughter and niece, devoted sister and loyal friend”.
