Pictured: Teenage girl found dead in her dormitory at £32,000-a-year private school after suspected suicide 

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A sixth-former found dead at one of the country's most prestigious public schools was a talented prefect, police said yesterday.

Rebecca Haley, 18, was discovered in a dormitory at Gresham's School in Holt, Norfolk, whose alumni include Benjamin Britten and Sir James Dyson.

The teenager, a grade-A student and gifted artist known as Becca to family and friends, is understood to have committed suicide and there are no suspicious circumstances.

Sixth-form student Rebecca Haley, 18 (pictured), was found dead in a dormitory at £32,000-a-year Gresham's School in Holt, Norfolk, whose alumni include Benjamin Britten and Sir James Dyson, in a suspected suicide

Paramedics were called to the school at 7.30am on Saturday and found her unconscious. They were unable to revive her.

The school, where boarders pay £31,950-a-year, was founded in the 16th century and has been tipped as the place where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who live nearby at Anmer Hall on the Queen's Sandringham Estate, may educate their children.

A statement released by the school said: 'Gresham's School can confirm that a pupil was found unconscious early on Saturday morning in their dormitory on the school premises.

'Emergency services were immediately called and on arrival they determined that the young woman had tragically lost her life. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

'The family was immediately notified and some family members attended the school later on Saturday and were met by the headmaster who offered his condolences on behalf of the whole school.'

Headmaster Douglas Robb added: 'We are all devastated by the death of a much-loved and cherished pupil.

'The thoughts and prayers of the whole school are with the family and friends of the young woman.'

Becca, who had a younger brother and sister, was a prefect in the school's Britten House, which has 72 girls including full-time and weekly boarders and day pupils.

Rebecca Haley, 18, was found dead in a dormitory at Gresham's School (pictured) on Saturday morning

It is described online as having 'a particularly colourful and cheerful interior and a new Upper Sixth Form wing' and 'a warmth and vibrancy which are quite unique'.

There is a 'homely' common room with sofas and television and a large kitchen for pupils to use.

Becca's parents, Julian and Patsy, are understood to be divorced and her father works abroad.

The family were too upset to comment last night.

Gresham's is spread over several sites in the upmarket Georgian town of Holt on the north Norfolk coast.

It was originally for boys only but has been co-educational since 1971. There are around 480 pupils in its senior school including 300 boarders.

Younger children sleep in small dormitories while older pupils have study bedrooms. Most sixth formers have their own room.

The Duchess of Cambridge met pupils from the school when she opened the new East Anglia Children's Hospices shop in the market town in March.

Headmaster Douglas Robb (pictured) paid tribute to the 'much-loved and cherished pupil' who died in her dorm

The Night Manager actress Olivia Colman (pictured) is a former pupil at the £32,00-a-year school

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'Police were called to an address shortly after 7.30am on Saturday following reports that the body of an 18-year-old woman had been discovered.

'Paramedics attended but the woman was sadly confirmed dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for Her Majesty's Coroner.'

An East of England Air Ambulance helicopter crew from Norwich were despatched to help the teenager but were recalled a few minutes later and did not attend the school.

A spokesman said: 'We sent an ambulance crew but sadly the patient had died at the scene. There was nothing that could be done for the patient.'

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