REDHILL School in Stourbridge has closed for the day today as a mark of respect for a Stourbridge mum and son were stabbed to death at their home.
Tracey Wilkinson, aged 50, and her 13-year-old son Pierce, who was a pupil at the Junction Road school, will be laid to rest in a joint funeral at St Mary’s Church, Oldswinford, today (Wednesday June 7) at 11am.
The pair were attacked at their Greyhound Lane home on March 30.
Husband and father Peter Wilkinson was also injured but survived the horrific incident.
A note on the school website said: “Out of respect for Pierce and Tracey, who were members of our community, we have made the decision to close the school for pupils.
"As a school we will be represented at the funeral by a number of staff together with a selected group of year eight pupils.”
The school plans to hold a celebration day for Pierce in the near future.
Aaron Barley, aged 23, of no fixed address, was arrested shortly after the horrific deaths of Tracey and Pierce and he faces two murder charges and one count of attempted murder.
At a hearing at Birmingham Crown Court on May 3, he admitted attempting to kill Mr Wilkinson but has yet to enter a plea regarding the deaths of Tracey and Pierce.
Devastated Mr Wilkinson and daughter Lydia paid an emotional tribute to the pair last week, describing them as "inseparable".
Lydia, an 18-year-old student at Bristol University, described her mum as "beautiful" and her younger brother as an "incredible, happy, bright, clever boy who could make friends with anyone".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here