Counselling will be offered to students at a Suffolk school to help them come to terms with the death of a classmate over the summer holidays.

Jake Knott died after a being involved in a collision with a van while cycling in the Lake District with his father last month.

The 15-year-old was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after the crash but did not survive.

Jake was a pupil at East Bergholt High School and yesterday headteacher Colin Turner wrote a letter to students’ parents explaining what was being done to help their children.

“This morning a special assembly was held in school with Jake’s year group,” Mr Turner wrote.

“Following the assembly school staff, together with staff from the Educational Psychology Service, were available to offer support to students.

“Jake was also remembered in assemblies across the school.

“I would like to thank all the students for their response on this difficult start to the academic year.

“Jake joined the school last September and quickly became a popular student with both his peers and the staff who taught him.

“He impressed everybody with his conscientious attitude and was always determined to achieve his very best.

“At school, Jake’s great love was sport, and he was an important member of the U15 rugby team, taking part in the tour to the East Midlands last March.

“He adopted a fantastic attitude to all aspects of the game and was an excellent team-player.”

A family tribute released after Jake’s death said: “Jake was a keen footballer, cyclist and sportsman, a good friend to so many and an absolutely wonderful and loving son.

“Jake had a gentle but competitive nature, an infectious laugh, cheeky smile and a sharp and witty sense of humour.

“Jake’s shocking and tragic passing leaves a chasm in the lives of those that knew him. The hearts of his family who adored him will be forever broken.

East Bergholt United Football Club, which Jake played for, held a minute’s silence before all its teams’ first matches of the season.