The school where Carol Hunt worked is “in a state of shock” after the murder of a beloved member of staff.

Queens’ School headteacher Jonathan Morrell said that the exams officer, 61, who was murdered along with two of her daughters in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, on Tuesday, will be “sorely missed” by staff and students.

Carol worked at the Aldenham Road secondary school since 2018, becoming a “familiar face” organising mock exams and offering GCSE and A-Level pupils support during some of the most stressful times in their school career.

John and Carol Hunt pictured in 2015.John and Carol Hunt pictured in 2015. (Image: Facebook/ Carol Hunt)

“You could not ask for a kinder, more gentle and patient member of staff,” Mr Morrell said.

“We want to send our condolences at this time. She will be very much missed by us, we are very much in shock as a school and as a nation.

“The key crucial time for many of our students is the end of their educational journey. For many of the students that have gone through that time, she was a very recognisable member of staff.”

Queens' School headteacher Jonathan Morrell.Queens' School headteacher Jonathan Morrell. (Image: Queens' School.)

Mr Morrell has written to parents to inform them of the circumstances and Queens’ School has a student support team and counselling services available to support pupils affected by the loss.

“Everybody is in a state of shock,” he added. “Losing a member of staff under any circumstances is so hard but what happened… you can’t put it into words.

“We have had a huge reaction. People are very, very much affected by that and can’t quite believe the circumstances.”

Queens' School Bushey.Queens' School Bushey. (Image: Queens' School.)

A message shared on behalf of the whole school community said: “We are devastated to hear about the tragic passing of our colleague Carol and her two daughters Hannah and Louise.

"Carol worked at Queens' School since 2018 and will be sorely missed by all. We send our condolences to her family at this very sad time.

"All at Queens' School Bushey.”

Kyle Clifford, 26, from Enfield, has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder following a wide-ranging manhunt earlier this week. A crossbow was recovered as part of the investigation.