A gifted Sutton school pupil died 24 hours after she fell ill with meningitis.

Georgia Tait died from meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning) on Sunday surrounded by her family after first displaying symptoms of the disease on the previous day – her 18th birthday.

Georgia, house captain at Sutton High School, had recently returned from a holiday to Kos, Greece, with friends to celebrate completing her A-levels.

The year 13 pupil, from Carshalton, had collected school awards two days before and was looking forward to starting university this September.

Katherine Crouch, the school’s acting headteacher, said the school community was “deeply saddened” by Georgia’s tragic death.

She said: “Georgia’s quietly determined and highly efficient nature will be much missed by us all. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”

Joint letters from Sutton High and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) have been sent to parents of pupils at the school and to GPs informing them of the death.

Mrs Crouch said no other cases of the disease had been reported, but parents, girls and staff would remain vigilant in checking for symptoms.

The school broke up for the summer holidays on July 8.

Dr Barry Walsh, director of the South West London Health Protection Unit said: “All close contacts have been offered antibiotics in order to prevent any spread of infection.”

“Parents can be reassured the risk of other children contracting this infection is low.”

Georgia was described by her school as a gifted pupil, and was awarded prizes for her performance in religious studies and psychology at the school awards ceremony last Thursday.

She was a volunteer with the British Heart Foundation, and had organised a successful event at the school for campaign group One World.

She was captain of one of the school houses, and also took part in the British Biology Olympiad and gained a Junior Sport Leadership Award.

Parents concerned about meningitis should look out for flu-like symptoms including a stiff neck, sore throat, high fever, sickness or an aversion to bright lights.

Patients with septicaemia may also develop a rash, which will not fade under pressure.

Anyone displaying this symptom should seek medical help.

For further information on signs and symptoms of meningitis visit www.meningitis-trust.org or call 0800 028 18 28.