THE funeral for Delia de Val, the assistant head teacher at Bishop Fox’s School, is being held at St George’s Roman Catholic Church in Taunton today.

Mrs De Val died suddenly at her home in Trull in the early hours of Friday, February 12.

The service will involve tributes from her two sons - Declan and Julian - as well as her good friend Barbara Berks.

Deputy head teacher Rob Wetheridge will also pay tribute on behalf of Bishop Fox’s school.

Assemblies were held for all students at the school on Monday.

Staff and students are still trying to come to terms with the tragic loss of Mrs de Val who was described by head teacher Paul Scutt this week as “very, very special and in many ways irreplaceable.”

Mr Scutt added: “The mood in the school remains sombre though support for staff and students has been available as they seek to come to terms with their loss.

“Letters of condolence have flooded into the school from parents, governors, previous members of staff and former students who have themselves set up a wonderful tribute on Facebook to someone who was clearly cherished by so many.

“Students in school are discussing their many ideas by which they themselves wish to recognize the special contribution that Mrs de Val made to the school.”

A number of touching tributes have also been left on the Somerset County Gazette website.

A post mortem held on Monday week showed that Mrs de Val died of natural causes.