Jayne Walmsley asked for the family's privacy to be respected

Luke Walmsley died of a single stab wound to the heart after an incident at Birkbeck School in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, on Tuesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday the family said: "Yesterday we woke up with two children - but today we have only one.

"Our family has been ripped apart and will never be the same again.

"Luke led a full life. He loved sport. He was a member of Grimsby judo club.He played football for North Somercotes under 15s.

"He had his full life mapped out, and wanted to become a policeman when he left school.

Clearly we are all shocked and dazed by what has happened Gary Loveridge, headteacher Birkbeck School Schoolboy was 'murdered'

"Luke did not deserve this to happen, and we as a family just want justice to be done.

"A future has been taken away from Luke, and Luke has been taken away from us. Our lives will never be the same again."

They added: "We now ask for us to be allowed to grieve on our own.

Luke's parents, Jayne and Paul, visited the school on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by police.

Jayne told a newspaper: "It is too much to bear - this is an appalling tragedy. I am absolutely devastated."

Fellow pupils have left flowers on a grassy area inside the school gates in tribute to their classmate.

'Fellowship day'

On Wednesday morning more than 50 students and family members attended a service at the Trinity Methodist Church where Luke was remembered.

Deacon Jane Cole said hymns and prayers were said and friends invited to remember Luke in "happier times".

Gary Loveridge, headteacher at Birkbeck School, said: "Luke was a strong and positive boy who was liked by all staff.

"He was very good at sports, and was a boy who shone. We will miss him very dearly.

"Clearly we are all shocked and dazed by what has happened.

"We have a school full of wonderful children and superb staff."