The schoolgirl died earlier this week during a swimming accident after she fell into a lake near Meymac in the Massif Central region of the country.

The pupil, who has not yet been named, was taken by air ambulance to hospital in the city of Limoges. A lifeguard dived down twice before finding Jessica, it was reported.

Jessica’ parents and her sister Polly travelled to France, where they said they were doing “everything they can” to bring her home.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to the family at this very hard time”. “Remember who she was not who she could have been, it is important we respect and cherish the memories we had with her. Thanks everyone again”.

Hannah Davison, another sister, added: “We are all heartbroken and devastated”.

As Jessica’s anguished classmates arrived back at their school yesterday, relatives described the tragic youngster as “the most lovely and outgoing girl”.

“A mother must never lose a child before she dies, lest the natural order of life be disrupted”.

Head teacher Dave McCready wrote in a letter to parents: “It is with great sadness that I am contacting you today. Forever”.

Katie Hopkins is famed for having a sharp tongue, and has been, on more than one occasion, dubbed the “most hated woman in Britain”, opened up her heart when she learned of the death of Jessica Lawson.

He saud the company was working closely with the local authorities and the school.

Mike Furbank, the head of children and young people, education and schools at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Our priority at the moment is getting the party home and offering all the pupils, staff and wider school community as much support as we possibly can”.

Steve Scott, managing director of trip organiser Activ4, said the group were swimming after activities scheduled by adventure camp staff had concluded. “Yesterday we became those “other people”.

FRIENDS of an East Yorkshire pupil who died on a school trip will gather on Sunday to release balloons in her memory.

Emma Huismans told The Sun: “I was at the bar looking out on to the lake and it was a handsome sunny day”.

Abdul Jamal Ottun, 17, who went to Wallington County Grammar School in the London borough of Sutton, died at Shawnigan Lake School in British Columbia on July 12.

Harry Williams, the partner of Jessica’s sister Polly, paid tribute to her on Facebook, saying: ” Remember Jess for all the beauty she had in her, a caring intelligent girl who had endless understanding and maturity.