News of the death of popular maths teacher Jillian Parnham rocked pupils and staff at Millais School.

The loss of the mother, described by head teacher Leon Nettley as a "popular and respected colleague", affected the pupils so deeply some needed counselling.

One former pupil, who preferred not to be named, said: "I can talk for everyone when I say we are all so deeply upset.

"She helped us grow up from the ages of 11 to 16. She was always so happy.

"When we got told we went silent and then so many people broke into tears. Everyone tried comforting each other."

The former student said they learned of the circumstances surrounding Jillian's death after hearing reports on the radio and news.

She said: "We didn't know anything about Mr Parnham and it came as a complete shock.

"When leaving the hall, the whole school was so quiet and everyone just looked like they were on a different planet.

"Our form got counselling for the next month or so and it really did help talking about it with our friends and getting everything out that you wanted to say.

"Our families didn't know exactly how we felt about everything and we couldn't discuss things.

"There were so many rumours going around the school. In the end, we just ignored them.

"We would have never guessed anything about Mrs Parnham and Mr Worth - you hardly ever saw them together - because Mr and Mrs Parnham looked so in love at school."

Jillian was the eldest daughter of Norman and Barbara Jones. Born at RAF Cosford in 1962, she grew up in Wolverhampton and went to Colton Hills Comprehensive.

A talented young woman, she went on to Keele University where she read maths and music.

In 1983, at the end of her second year, she married her first husband, Chris Beeching.

They moved to Nantwich where Jillian gained her degree and went on to teacher training.

Mr Beeching applied for a job in Godalming, Surrey, and they moved to Barns Green, near Horsham, in 1985.

Jillian started working at Millais School but as her career progressed her marriage did not last.

She left him on their wedding anniversary and moved into a one-bedroom flat in Broadbridge Heath.

While at the school, Jillian met Parnham.

They started dating and after a while Mark moved into her flat.

They were married at Horsham register office in 1989.

Shortly after, Jillian was promoted to second in charge of the maths department.

Jillian was keen on horses and spent many hours riding and helped students to set up an equestrian team.

Another former pupil said: "She was always very professional.

"I could never really understand how her and Mr Parnham were together. I am still shocked at what happened."