Students' silence in memory of Frankie

More than 1,000 youngsters at an Oswestry school took part in a minute's silence to pay tribute to their former head girl Frankie McFall.

The tribute at The Marches School and Technology College, which was Frankie's school until 2008, yesterday was requested by the students themselves who have been left stunned by the death of the popular teenager. Frankie, 18, and her mother Susan were killed by father Hugh before he killed himself on Friday.

The minute's silence was held as a mark of respect during a special whole-school assembly.

A statement from the school said: "All in The Marches School's community, students, staff, governors and friends are all terribly saddened by the tragic circumstances that have taken one of our bright stars, Francesca McFall, from us.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to Francesca's family and friends and we will do all in our power to support those nearest to her.

"We are very proud that Francesca McFall was head girl here.

"Frankie was an extremely popular member of our community, an accomplished student both academically and musically, but more importantly Frankie was the heart and soul of many of the events that the school put on during her time here."

Anthony Coupe, head of performing arts, said: "Frankie was simply the best of the best."

After spending a year studying A-levels at Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, the teenager moved to Oswestry School's sixth form.

Paul Stockdale, headmaster of Oswestry School, said: "Since coming to us in September when she joined our sixth form, she made such a positive impression, making friends with everyone quickly, settling into the school and becoming a popular student with both staff and her peers. It was as if she had been with us for years.

"Frankie was a delightful young woman. She was hard-working, conscientious, unfailingly cheerful and polite, beautifully presented - a model student. She had such a promising future.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the remaining family throughout this very sad and difficult time."

Many of Francesca's friends went to Walford and North Shropshire College. Andrew Tyley, the principal, said: "When a tragedy occurs in a small community such as Oswestry, it touches us all.

"We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Francesca and we will endeavour to support our students at this very difficult time."

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College college principal, Martin Ward, said: "We feel great sadness following the tragedy, and our thoughts are with Francesca's family and friends."

Shropshire Councillor for Llanymynech Arthur Walpole, who is also chairman of governors at The Marches School, said the whole community had been "left reeling".