THE head teacher of Brianna Ghey’s high school says the shocking events surrounding her murder must not ‘destroy our faith in humanity’.

Emma Mills, head of Birchwood Community High School has issued a statement following Brianna’s killers being jailed for life.

She described the 16-year-old as an ‘extraordinarily funny, creative and sensitive soul’ whose legacy will live on.

Staff and students have also been receiving support to come to terms with what has happened over the past year.

Emma said: “As a head teacher and a parent, it is incomprehensible to describe the past twelve months.

“It is something you could never imagine – or want to imagine – happening to anyone, let alone one of your students.

“My heart goes out to Esther, Brianna’s mum, and her family and friends. Brianna was a vibrant and well-known personality within our school, and we miss her terribly.

“We are obviously relieved that the trial is over, and that justice has been served for Brianna and her family.

“We hope this can now bring some degree of closure to what has been a horrendous time for everyone affected.”

“Horrific events such as these are rare and are devastating for all involved. However, as hard as it is to comprehend, it would serve no purpose to let them destroy our faith in humanity.

“As a head teacher, I have really had to grapple with this and make sense of it all.”

Emma says that her focus has been on supporting and leading staff and serving students through this difficult time, as well as being there for Esther and her family.

“Our school and our community are safe and inclusive environments, and the wellbeing of all of our young people is at the heart of our provision,” she continued.

“We have spent this year coming to terms with what has happened and have accessed a range of internal and external emotional and practical support for our staff and students.

“I am so proud of them all. I am in awe of my staff team who have continued to deliver the high-quality level of care and education our students deserve, and our community expects from its school.

“Together with Esther and Brianna’s friends, we have ensured that Brianna will be remembered for the extraordinarily funny, creative and sensitive soul that she was.

“Brianna’s favourite colour was pink – everything had to be pink – so we have planted a cherry blossom tree within our grounds in her memory, as a peaceful place for reflection.

“Furthermore, as a celebration of Brianna’s life, many of us across the community will be coming together with Esther and her family at 3pm on February 11 at Golden Square.

“At times Brianna, like many young people, struggled to come to terms with the complex world around her, particularly throughout the Covid pandemic.

“With this in mind, we are supporting Esther in her founding of the charity Peace and Mind’

“The Foundation will fund mindfulness training for teachers and teaching assistants to better equip them to understand the complex needs of their students.

“This will be Brianna’s legacy.”