UK pupil, 5, dies after falling ill

A five-year-old girl has died after being taken ill at school.

The girl, a pupil at Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley, near Reading in Berkshire, died in hospital after being taken there by ambulance yesterday afternoon, emergency services said.

A statement posted on the school’s website yesterday said: “We are deeply saddened to report that one of our children passed away today.

“Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends at this tragic time.”

It added that “after careful consideration” staff decided to open the school today.

Thames Valley Police said they were told of the five-year-old’s death at the Royal Berkshire Hospital shortly after 4.30pm yesterday.

A force spokeswoman said: “The death is unexplained but not believed to be suspicious.”

Judith Ramsden, director of children's services at Wokingham Council, told the Local Berkshire news website: “This is an extremely sad day and our thoughts and prayers are very much with family and friends of the little girl, all of the pupils, their families, and staff at the school.

“We are supporting the whole school community in every way we can, and our specialist team will be back with them on Monday.

“We sincerely ask that you give the school, and its families, both the space and the time they need to grieve and heal during the coming months.”