A teacher has paid an emotional tribute to one of her students who died suddenly at the age of 18.

Aashi Sinha who attended Forest School in College Place, Snaresbrook, died on May 8. Today, Penny Goodman, Deputy Warden and Head of Girls’ School at Forest has spoken of the school’s devastation at the death of a “delightful, modest and inspirational” student.

She said: “Aashi’s death has been mourned by the whole school community. “She was highly regarded and loved by her peers, the teaching and school staff and by the wider community to which she made a significant contribution".

Mrs Goodman recalled her first meeting with Aashi at her 11+ interview, saying that she was a delightful girl. She added that the teenager was intellectually curious, achieved highly and was academically gifted winning a succession of prizes and certificates at the school.

She said that Aashi had received offers to read Mathematics at leading universities, but had intended to follow her parents’ footsteps into medicine so she could help improve people’s lives.

And she paid tribute to Aashi’s willingness to mentor other pupils and passion for community work which saw her enrol as a Young Games Maker at last year’s Paralympics.

She said: “Aashi loved life and loved her friends. “She recognised that joy could come from small things and small events. Aashi was always positive, laughing and smiling.

“That huge happy beaming smile was one we all loved. “We mourn the fact that her sudden death means she has been deprived of contributing to our future lives, whilst recognising what she has already given to us".

Aashi’s parents have asked that any donations people would like to make in their daughter’s memory go to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.

To contribute visit www.justgiving.com/aashi-sinha.

By Dominic Sutton »