A BASILDON school will remain closed on Tuesday (7 March) following the death of a member of staff on the site.

De La Salle School on Ghyllgrove closed temporarily on Monday after a long-serving member of site staff Steve Hutchinson died suddenly at work.

It is reported he suffered a heart attack shortly before gates opened to pupils on Monday morning.

The school was immediately closed and is due to fully reopen on Wednesday.

Head teacher Paul Norris said Mr Hutchinson would be "very deeply missed".

"Mr Hutchinson was a well-liked and respected member of school staff and his death has impacted many members of our De La Salle community," he added.

Mr Norris said counselling services were arranged for staff and pupils affected by the incident.

He praised other school staff for their "exemplary swift action" and the emergency services who "quickly arrived" and provided their "best efforts" at the scene.

The school said it had arranged provision for pupils deemed to be vulnerable and some remote learning for students at home.

Year 11 students are expected to attend school as normal while their mock exams are ongoing.

De La Salle is a voluntary-aided Roman Catholic school with 752 pupils aged 11 to 16.