Margaret Clayton: Bailey’s death means we’ll all hug our kids just that little bit tighter

THE tragic death of 16-year-old Bailey Gwynne at his school in Aberdeen has sent shockwaves around every home in the country.

That this could happen to a normal teenager is the stuff of nightmares.

As a parent, you send your child off to school in the morning, never for a moment thinking this could be the last time you see him or her alive.

The morning routine is familiar in most homes. You might have to knock on the bedroom door a couple of times to waken them.

The bathroom is occupied for a while, then a sleepy-eyed teenager slopes downstairs, may or may not have cereal or toast while staring at the TV or checking the ever-present mobile phone.

Conversation may be limited. He or she may well grunt a reply to your questions about the day ahead. Or maybe not.

You may be rushing around before leaving for work, trying to remember if their gym kit is still in the tumble dryer.

It’s not the best time of the day.

Everyone is preoccupied, sometimes grumpy.

You look around at the worktops littered with crumbs and spilt milk and sigh at the morning chaos.

Your teenager may pause to say goodbye, even give you a kiss. Or maybe not.

Just an ordinary morning. A day like any other.

But what if it were not?

What if you never saw your little boy or girl again?

What on earth do you do when you get that phone call from the school which ends your life as you know it?

I have no idea how a parent copes in that situation.

The shock must be numbing and terrifying.

When your teenager is out partying at weekends, there is a bit of you which worries about what might happen, what could go wrong.

But school?

No, that’s different.

Schools are supposed to be places of learning and development, of energy and communication.

They are staffed by teachers who are committed to making pupils develop the skills and abilities they need for the future.

But Bailey’s death last week shattered that illusion.

We don’t want our schools to become places of fear for parents or pupils.

We need to trust that places of education are safe and secure.

Our hearts go out to Bailey’s parents and to the staff and pupils at his school.

We hope they find the strength to cope in the days and weeks ahead.

There will be many tears for a young life lost.

Many mums and dads will now hug their child just a little bit tighter when they send them off to school in the morning.