A head teacher has paid tribute to a “warm and kind member of our school community” after the death of a teenage pupil.

Highsted Grammar School, in Sittingbourne, wrote to parents yesterday (November 20) to inform them Year 9 pupil Ella Thomson had died.

Head teacher Anne Kelly said: “We will remember Ella as a warm and kind member of our school community.

“She was a keen rugby player who loved her friends and she will be greatly missed by us all. Please keep Ella and her family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Ella died on Tuesday, November 14, and a book of condolences has been set up at the grammar school, in Highsted Road, as a way for the school to express their sympathies to her family.

Her family said they were “utterly heartbroken” when they shared the news of their daughter’s death on a fundraising page set up for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Charity.

Ella’s parents said: ”Her heart stopped beating in my arms in the early hours of the morning. It goes without saying that we are struggling beyond words.

“If it was not for the air ambulance (and all the emergency responders who came to us that afternoon) we would not have had an opportunity to hold her one last time.

“We are grateful that our beautiful baby got to pass in the arms of her mummy with those who loved her surrounding her.”

The school has said it will be supporting its pupils and has been working with the Educational Psychologists’ Crisis Support team to provide care for students and staff.

Aylesford Bulls RFC have also paid tribute to Ella, who was one of their youth players.

In a statement, the club said: “It is with great sadness that we share with our club community the loss of one of our youth players, a fantastic rugby talent, a pleasure to coach and always keen to learn.”

Ella’s family has set up a JustGiving page to raise money for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Charity. You can donate here.

At the time of writing more than £900 had been donated.