Friends, teachers and classmates of Alex Rodda have today paid tribute to him as a teenager appeared in court charged with his murder.

The 15-year-old's body was discovered on a country lane in Ashley in Cheshire - just over the border from Hale in Trafford - on Friday morning.

Alex, from Knutsford, was a Year 11 pupil at Holmes Chapel High School.

On Monday, the school community fell silent as they remembered Alex, who was described as 'an energetic and engaging student who loved life'.

Friends and classmates took part in a series of assemblies which celebrated Alex and his time at the school.

They also held a one-minute silence in his memory.

Paying tribute to Alex, executive headteacher Denis Oliver said he would be remembered with 'fondness and compassion'.

(Image: MEN MEDIA)

"Today the school community mourned the loss of Alex Rodda, a much loved member of our school community," he said.

"A young man that we all knew well, Alex was always a larger than life character, an energetic and engaging student who loved life.

"Alex wore his heart on his sleeve as the saying goes, an open book to those who knew him well.

"He kept a very close group of friends.

"We must now, as a school family, all work together to come to terms with our loss.

"The safety and wellbeing of our students is our number one priority and today we needed to give our students the opportunity to express their grief, to spend some time together in thoughtful reflection.

"This morning, all of our students took part in a series of assemblies where we celebrated Alex’s time with us.

"During the assembly, students held a minutes silence in tribute to Alex.

"I am immensely proud of the way that students and staff have supported each other with thoughtful dignity.

"There is nothing we can say to lessen the impact of this tragedy or to comment in any way about the circumstances around Alex’s death.

"What we can and will do is to offer support to all and particularly those who feel his loss most.

"We will remember Alex with fondness and compassion for the person that he was."

(Image: Â© Andrew Price / View Finder Pi)

Matthew Mason, 18, appeared before Crewe Magistrates' Court on Monday charged with murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Dressed in an open neck white shirt and dark trousers, Mr Mason, of Ash Lane in Knutsford, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, and that he understood the charges against him.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (December 18) by chair of the bench David Griffith.

Alex's mum Lisa said on Saturday night: "Everybody loved Alex. He was caring and kind. Alex was my beautiful son.

"I am heartbroken."

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