Today marks a very important milestone as the Coroner’s inquest draws to a close following the tragic death during the Easter holidays in 2024 of Georgia Scarff, a much-loved pupil of RHS. It is in incredibly difficult times such as this when we really value our school community coming together to support one another, and we thank you for all your messages of support.
Georgia joined our school in Year 7 and, throughout her time at RHS, became a leading light within the school. She was admired for her creativity, determination, and her kind manner. She was an excellent sportswoman and, in the classroom, diligent and hardworking, on track for an excellent set of results. Georgia was a beacon of kindness and joy for her peers, and her loss has been felt deeply across our community. Last summer, we hosted a Memorial Service for Georgia’s family and friends in our Chapel, which continues to welcome pupils, parents, and staff as a space to remember and reflect.
A Coroner’s inquest is an essential process following such tragic circumstances, and the school has fully supported this. Understandably, it has been a particularly difficult few weeks for those who were close to Georgia, and our hearts go out to her family and friends.
The verdict of this inquest was that Georgia had taken her own life, but the Coroner found that she was not suicidal in the lead up to her death and acted on impulse. He went on to recognise that the school demonstrates ‘a deeply held desire and focus’ on providing the best possible care for pupils and had put in place ‘timely and appropriate measures’ to support Georgia, with a safeguarding approach regarded as an example of ‘best practice’. Whilst this is reassuring for colleagues, it will not stop us from continuing to reflect and to look for additional ways to help keep all our pupils safe and supported.
We would like to thank the Coroner for his thorough and sensitive consideration throughout this hearing and for his ongoing work in supporting the school to ensure consistent records are maintained within the school’s safeguarding management IT system, something we are fully committed to. It was also positive to hear he will be engaging with the Secretary of State for Education to highlight the need for similar safeguarding systems to be available in all schools.
Reliving the memories of April 2024 have been difficult for many within our school community, and our focus now is to ensure that all who have been affected are supported and cared for as they process this again. Today, as we mark World Mental Health Day in school, staff and pupils have worn something yellow in support of Young Minds and their work to promote positive mental health among young people, a cause that resonates even more deeply today.
Georgia will never be forgotten; she will always hold a special place in the hearts of all who knew her at RHS.