In Loving Memory of Ibrahima

A message from our Headteacher

It is with profound sadness that we are trying to process the sudden and tragic death of one of our students, and the thoughts of everyone in school are with Ibrahima's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. Ibrahima was a lively, intelligent and engaging young man whose presence lit up every room.  Known for his warm, chatty nature, his infectious energy and sense of humour, he brought joy to students and staff alike. His strong sense of social justice inspired those around him, and he was deeply committed to making the world a better place. Ibrahima's creativity shone particularly brightly in drama lessons and on excursions for The Duke of Edinburgh Award, and he relished playing football during breaktimes with his friends.  He was also immensely proud of his 100% attendance, which reflected his dedication and love for school life. Ibrahima was a happy, compassionate young person, loved by everyone who knew him, and has left an indelible mark on our school. His absence leaves a huge hole in our school community, and he will be missed more than words can say.  We are offering full support to students and staff as we all try to come to terms with this heartbreaking loss.
Louise Hodson
Headteacher, Greater Manchester Independent School

Support and Advice

As a very small, specialist school, we are lucky to be able to support all of our students intensively. We have a dedicated therapist onsite and all staff are on hand to offer therapeutic sessions and activities. If you feel that any student requires additional support, counselling or bereavement services, please contact the school immediately. Below are some links that contain resources, support and advice that may be useful at this time:
  • Kooth – Offer an online community where young people up the age of 25 can talk about how they are feeling with counsellors and have access to support and resources: https://www.kooth.com/
  • The Mix – These offer phone-based support and resources online. They can deliver 8 x 50min 1-1 counselling support for young people up to 25. There is a self-referral form to complete online to register. https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/the-mix-counselling-service
  • Childline – Free national support telephone helpline for young people to talk and be supported by qualified counsellors. They also have some great supporting tools online for young people to use to help cope with mental health issues such as anxiety. T: 0800 1111. Childline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.childline.org.uk
  • Child Bereavement UK – support children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died. They can offer free, confidential bereavement support for individuals, children and families, by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK. There are some really good short videos on their website about supporting a child after a bereavement which may be helpful for the parents. Call the helpline to discuss further support: 0800 02 88840.  https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
  • A dedicated ‘Safe Zone’ that young people can access to talk and share their feelings has been set up at Manchester Youth Zone.

Personal Tributes

Our students and staff visited Ibrahima’s memorial site to leave flowers and personal messages of condolence. 

Thank you to all of the parents, carers, former students and their families who have shown our school community such kindness over the past days. 

Student and Staff Memories

As a school, we would like to share some of our fondest memories of Ibrahima (Ibs) here.

Ibs, Your infectious laugh, cheeky smile, the banter we shared, playing the mini-game in the front of the bus, asking me, "Yo Sir, what's on your wraps?" every day at lunch, coming to my office for a chat, Monday 5-a-side, asking me to buy you pistachios. All these things that have become normality and I have taken for granted, but I will remember and cherish forever. I was so excited to see where your future lay - most likely on the big screen, pursuing your dreams of being an actor. The last moments I had with you in school, facing your fear of heights at 'Clip and Climb' will stay with me forever. The smile on your face when you reached the top was simply magical and reminds me why I work in education. You have touched the hearts of all who have met you, including me. The world is a sadder place without you. I know your family are so proud of the young man you became. Fly high Ibs.
Mike Duxbury
Head of Inclusion
Ibs/Little Ang, I don't know how to capture in a short sentiment how meaningful your short time on this earth was. You were taken far to soon, and the school will forever have a missing piece, you had so much life, and light ahead and it's heartbreaking that we won't get to see all of the beautiful things you would have become. You made everyday brighter, you had an incredible gift of making people laugh and lighting up any room you entered. What you have given in your time here will never be forgotten. Your smile, your energy and your presence left a mark that no amount of time can erase. You are deeply missed, always loved and forever in our hearts. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Leah Hodson
Designated Safeguarding Lead
When I met Ibrahima on his first day at GMIS we clicked instantly and built such a strong bond that I will cherish forever. He would come to me daily to chat about anything and everything and it comforts me to know that he trusted me to be a listening ear or a shoulder to lean on when needed. We shared a love for movies and tv and would give each other recommendations of things we thought the other would like to watch, and shared the same sense of humour. He loved to wind me up - I'm really going to miss our private jokes and laughing with him every day. I'm so grateful to have made so many special memories with him, there are too many to write but seeing his face light up every week when he would jump in streams at forest school and roll down hills getting covered in mud (after moaning walking up them), sneaking him on to Valhalla in Blackpool for one last ride while the rest of the school was waiting to leave, and him calling me a cheat for months because I beat him at laser quest are some of my favourites. He carried such positive energy that spread to everyone around him, and his personality shone so brightly. The world will always be a little darker without him and his cheeky, infectious smile. You will forever hold a very special place in my heart Ibs, and I will miss you so very much. 
Daryl Walker
Inclusion Manager
Ibrahima, you are so clearly loved by all around you and it shows in the thoughts and messages sent out to you and your family. Teaching you has been a true privilege and I count myself blessed. Your fun loving, honest and caring personality shone through in your beautiful smile and wonderful soul. I'm lucky to have such fond memories of you. The funny conversations about all the strange things you wanted to try eating and things that you definitely shouldn't have eaten will remain with me. Although art was not your favorite subject, you always tried and this is true to your nature- hard working and with a willingness to try anything. The day to day joy you brought to us all at GMIS has left a hole in all our hearts. You made us proud Ibrahima, your light will forever continue to shine bright.
Liz Ramsbottom
Art Teacher
Ibrahima was a genuine, funny and charming young man. He was deeply curious about the world, and we would have lengthy discussions about recent events in the news. In his English lessons, Ibrahima worked hard and always gave his best, and he particularly shone when we studied plays or creative writing. His ideas and stories were often epic in nature: an underdog trains hard to soar to great heights and save the innocent. Students are not usually all that interested in what their teachers think, as is their right as young people, but Ibrahima had this really genuine way of engaging with you. He was very respectful and had strong morals. Something that I particularly admired about Ibs was that if he ever did anything wrong, he owned up to it honestly and apologised earnestly, which is something too many adults struggle to do. He would give you this lovely warm smile that simply gave you no choice but to smile back. His loss has been nothing short of tremendous. Ibrahima was an incredibly special young person and I consider it an honour to have taught him. I will miss him greatly.
Alice Barry
Teaching and Learning Lead & Teacher of English
Ibs had such a brilliant sense of humour and cheeky smile, it was impossible to be angry with him. Even on his famous 'little walks' around school (usually when he was supposed to be in a lesson!) he would make everybody he came into contact with smile. I would often invite him into my office to ask why he wasn't in lesson and we would end up chatting for 15 minutes - and then we would both get in trouble with his teacher! But he was so charming, and open and honest and funny that it was just always a genuine pleasure to be in Ibrahima's company. I will miss him very much.
Neil Harrison
Head of Site (Failsworth)