TRIBUTES have been paid to a sports-loving schoolgirl who died six days after being found unconscious at home.

Jade Stringer, aged 14, of Bolton Road, Hawkshaw, had a “charismatic” personality and was “sensitive, caring and enthusiastic”, according to Mark Jackson, headteacher at Haslingden High School where she was a pupil.

The teenager died in Fairfield Hospital on Saturday, nearly a week after her father David discovered her body slumped in her bedroom.

An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday, pending a full hearing at a later date. Jade’s death is not being treated as suspicious by police.

Posts on internet social networking sites, such as Twitter, have claimed Jade was being bullied. But Mr Jackson said: “We are still coming to terms with these tragic events and it would be quite wrong to speculate at this point about what might have led to Jade’s death. Jade was a very popular and well-liked member of the school who got on well with boys and girls alike.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students is of paramount importance and we take any suggestion of bullying extremely seriously. We have very robust procedures in place to prevent and tackle bullying and our most recent Ofsted report specifically praised the school for its achievements in this area.”

In tribute to Jade, Mr Jackson continued: “The whole school is shocked and deeply upset to hear the extremely sad news of Jade’s death. We knew her condition was serious in hospital but we all hoped and prayed she would make a full recovery.

“Jade was an extremely popular, lively and caring student within our school. She was always sensitive to the feelings of her fellow students and always supportive of them and their needs.

“Jade had a charismatic personality which endeared her to staff and students alike. She was always cheerful and her vibrant presence often filled the beginning of form time with her singing and energy – often accompanied by her friends.

“She loved sport and excelled, often taking responsibility and participating in workshops for primary school children. This enabled her to demonstrate her passion and commitment, enthusing others to develop the talent they had, to the full. The school feels a deep sense of loss and we will endeavour to support staff and students through this very difficult time.”

Mr Jackson added: “Jade will be sadly missed by all staff and students at Haslingden High School and we offer our most sincere sympathies to her family and loved ones at this extremely sad time.”

Yesterday (June 20), some of Jade’s friends created a Facebook group in her memory called RIP Jade Stringer, Gone But Never Forgotten. A total of 57 people had joined as the Bury Times went to press and some had left messages of support to Jade’s family.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said that officers were “reviewing the circumstances” surrounding Jade’s death, but it was not being treated as suspicious.

GMP confirmed in a statement that police had been called by paramedics, shortly after 3.35pm on Sunday June 10, to attend a house in Bolton Road following a report a 14-year-old girl had been found unconscious.

It added: “Officers attended and the girl was taken to hospital by paramedics.”