Family, friends, governors and teachers gathered at the Rochester Math School this afternoon to pay their respects on the first anniversary of the death of sixth former Jack Maddams.

The 17-year-old died suddenly from a rare heart condition at his Wigmore home a year ago today. He was just days away from celebrating his 18th birthday.

Jack’s mum Janet laid flowers at the foot of a cherry tree which was planted close to the school entrance last year in memory of the sports mad teenager. Poignantly the tree began to flower only last week.

Two single red roses were also laid by Jack’s grandparents with fellow students placing their floral tributes nearby shortly afterwards.

Dad Roger wept as he knelt down to read the cards attached to the flowers.

Roger said: "I’m amazed at the amount of people that have come to give their love and thoughts and kindness not just today but throughout the whole year.

"It’s unbelievable how people reacted to this and just how much Jack meant to us in different ways whether it was mucking around in the common room or going down to Amadeus on a Friday night.

"He’s left the biggest hole that can never be replaced."