The news of a coach crash involving staff and pupils at Largs Academy has sent shockwaves through the school.

John Travers, director of education at North Ayrshire Council, visited the school and praised parents and pupils for the "remarkable restraint they had shown in coping with the tragedy.

Pupils, parents and staff gathered for whatever information they could get and to comfort each other as details filtered through from Bierre-les-Semur in central France.

By the time classes were due to start, they had heard that pupil Katherine Fish, 15, from Largs, was dead, two pupils and three teachers were being treated for serious injuries and at least five pupils suffered minor injuries.

John Travers: Restrained reaction at school

Mr Travers said he and headteacher George Maxwell had spoken to parents and pupils.

He said: "They are showing remarkable restraint and understanding.

"We've given them a commitment that as soon as we have hard information will certainly share that with them."

Describing the atmosphere at school assembly, Mr Travers said: "The atmosphere was very emotional but restrained. I think the children were being very brave but clearly they were very upset about what has happened."

Pupils and teachers involved in the crash have been relaying information to those at home via mobile telephones, said Mr Travers.

He added that the school was "trying to operate as normally as possible in difficult circumstances in an atmosphere of security and calm".

You always feel this happens to everyone else, but we are the someone else

John Lightbody, pupil

Pupil John Lightbody, 16, said he knew most of the children travelling on the trip to Barcelona and was anxious to know what had happened to them.

He said: "I was overwhelmed. They were so excited about this trip. It's just crazy.

"You always feel this happens to everyone else, but we are the someone else."

Some of the parents of pupils who were on the bus were preparing to travel to France to be with their children.

The tragedy was certain to have an effect on everyone at the school and in the Ayrshire seaside town, with the pupils on the ill-fated coach trip drawn from second to sixth year.

Some parents planned to travel to France

Officials from North Ayrshire Council began ringing parents of pupils at about 0630 BST, as soon as information became available.

Strathclyde Police said the parents of the child who died and those who were injured have been informed.

Peter McNamara, chairman of education at North Ayrshire Council, said he was aware that one pupil had died and a member of staff had lost an arm in the crash.

He had met members of the group on a visit to the school last week.

He said: "I gave the speech at their prize-giving and met all the pupils and, I believe, I met the pupils who were going on this particular trip.

"They were absolutely over the moon and looking forward to it. As with all young people, going abroad is an exciting prospect and they were absolutely delighted to be going.

"This is a tragedy that will touch everyone in Largs right across the board," Mr McNamara added.