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Student Matthew Mackell who worried so much about exams he took his own life scored top marks in finance A-level

By: Liane Castle lcastle@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 19:35, 20 August 2020

Updated: 09:10, 21 August 2020

The family of a teenage boy so worried about his exams he took his own life has found out the Year 12 pupil achieved top marks in one of his A-levels.

Matthew Mackell, who went to Skinners' Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells , died in Dunorlan Park on May 7.

Matthew Mackell loved maths and wanted to be an accountant. Picture: Michael Bond

Matthew's father Michael Bond says his son, who loved maths, was so bright he achieved an A in finance, his favourite subject.

Mr Bond said: "It's a bittersweet feeling because I'm proud and I congratulated him at his grave but I just wish he was here.

"I don't know about any of his other subjects yet."

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In a note found in his school diary, the 17-year-old had expressed how lockdown made him anxious about his exam results and what it meant for his future.

Mr Bond added: "He was worried about his results and he was scared he was going to be in a dead-end job and he didn't know where to go with lockdown. He lost his job too because of the virus and it all had a knock-on effect."

Floral tributes were left in Matthew's memory at Dunorlan Park

As students across the county found out their GCSE results today, Mr Bond is urging anyone who may not be happy with their marks to speak up and seek help.

He added: "My advice is go and sit with a teacher and talk to them because they are still there to help. Just because schools are closed doesn't mean there's no-one to talk to."

An investigation by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) is looking into how police staff handled contact with the schoolboy who dialled 999 before taking his own life.

It follows a mandatory referral by the force to the IOPC.

In an email to Mr Bond, the IOPC today said a sixth member of staff from Kent Police has been served with a notice of investigation as they may have breached the standards of professional behaviour.

Mr Bond with Matthew as a baby. Picture: Michael Bond

This now brings the total to five members of police staff, from various roles in the control room, and one police officer.

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Findings have so far revealed at 10.18pm, on May 6, the 17-year-old made an abandoned call to police. He said: “Can you send someone to pick me up, I’m about to kill myself.”

The call handler made attempts to call him back and two calls were answered by Matthew. On the first one, he said he was "okay", but on the second he hung up.

After several attempts to contact Matthew and tracing his calls to an "area of Dunorlan Park", the IOPC says no search of the park was completed.

Mr Bond says all he desperately wants to know is what happened to his son so no other family has to suffer in the future.

Matthew was laid to rest at Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells. Picture: Michael Bond

He said: "It's frustrating knowing all these people are being questioned because there could still be more people yet and it's going on and on.

"I want to know what the procedure is when someone phones in saying the things Matthew said but nobody wants to tell me that."

The investigation does not mean that disciplinary action will follow as it may find the individuals did not breach any standards.

Once all the evidence has been reviewed, a final report will be produced. This could be as late as November.

The IOPC has been approached for further comment.

Mr Bond is urging anyone who may be struggling to seek help from The Calm Zone and Fegans.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells

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