‘I know you all think you know how to keep yourselves safe, but recent events in the school suggest that not all of you are taking it to heart. It’s so easy to think it won’t be you, but children are targeted online every day by people pretending to be someone they’re not. It’s possible Leon was planning to meet someone he met online, a person he thought he could trust with his personal information.’

Suddenly, all the attention was on Singh. I thought it was most likely because they were desperate for information that felt forbidden, information their teachers had been keeping from them, but I hoped at least some of it was out of concern for their fellow pupil.

‘We still don’t know where Leon is. He might be in hiding, scared to let anyone know where he is. Or, someone might be keeping him away from his friends and the people who care about him. We’ve been looking at Leon’s phone and his online messages. Remember, Leon has had exactly the same education as you. He’s had all the talks about online safety, the same ones you have. He knows the advice and the rules you’re told to follow. He met someone online, and he believed what they said to him, even though we now know they weren’t who they said they were. And now Leon is missing.’

Singh paused for a moment to let these words sink in. I could see Samira on the back row, biting her lip, tears in her eyes, and she caught my eye briefly before looking away. She looked terrified – but was she scared because she knew what her friend had been doing, or because she didn’t?

A girl put her hand up. I didn’t recognise her; she looked a couple of years younger than Leon. Singh nodded to her.

Did Leon kill Mr Wilkinson?

I interpreted this question for Singh, and I also signed it again for the students who hadn’t been able to see the girl. All eighteen of them stared at Singh, waiting for his answer.

‘We’re still trying to find out what happened. Remember, if any of you think you know anything, we’re here and you can talk to us. If there’s anything you’re worried about, anything that scares you, please come and tell us about it. Our job is to help you and protect you. Even if there’s someone in the school that you’re worried about, please tell us.’