SCHOOLCHILDREN have decided to dedicate a new sculpture to the memory of a much-loved teaching assistant.

Children at at Treetops Special School, in Buxton Road, Grays, have asked for the new tree sculpture could be called Hannah’s Tree, in memory of former staff member Hannah Moynihan.

Hannah, 24, from Grays, had a heart defect and died suddenly last September.

The tree, which was designed by the pupils, with help from consultant Creative Partnerships, was put up primarily to preserve the memory of former pupils after they left. Each child will have its name engraved on one of the tree’s metal leaves when they go.

Headteacher Paul Smith paid tribute to Hannah.

He said: “She was lovely and had worked at our school from the age of 18 – all her working life.

“She did care work with some of the children outside school and the request to name the tree in her memory came from the children.”

The school is now planning to put an engraved stone by the sculpture to remind pupils it is dedicated to Hannah.