School shuts in memory of teacher

A Cornish school is to shut on Friday afternoon as a mark of respect for one of its teachers who died last week in a surfing accident.

Stephen Quinn, who was 30, was an art teacher at Falmouth Community School.

He died last Thursday after getting into difficulties off Droskyn Point near Perranporth. Coastguards said sea conditions were difficult at the time.

A thanksgiving service will be held at All Hallows' Church at Kea, outside Truro on Friday.

'Infectious laugh'

The school will close as a mark of respect and to allow teachers to attend the service.

Earlier this week, Stephen's father, Mick Quinn, who is a watch manager at Falmouth Coastguard, paid tribute to his son.

He said: "He was a very fun-loving guy who had an infectious laugh and a wicked sense of humour."

A support team from the local authority and chaplains have been working with teachers and pupils to help them cope with the tragedy.