Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

News > General News > The tragic loss of former Hills student, Jack Merritt

The tragic loss of former Hills student, Jack Merritt

We are deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely death of 25-year-old Jack Merritt, former Hills Road Sixth Form College student from 2011 to 2013.
Jack Merritt
Jack Merritt
From the first time we met Jack, it was clear that his dream was to study Law at University. While at the College, he developed a keen interest in his A level subjects, Economics, Government and Politics, Philosophy and History, and he enjoyed being able to discuss and debate issues that he felt strongly about.

Combined with his academic studies, Jack also completed Enrichment courses in Chemical Photography and Basketball. He was also interested in fashion and created streetwear-inspired t-shirts for his Extended Project Qualification. Outside of his studies, he wrote articles for an online fashion magazine and attended London Fashion Week as a journalist.

Jack left Hills Road to study law at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2016. He went on to study at the University of Cambridge, completing a Master's in Criminology and found his vocation in working to understand the underlying causes behind prison statistics.

Jack became a course coordinator for the University of Cambridge's prison rehabilitation programme, running the Learning Together project, which provides students and offenders with the chance to study alongside one another to help reduce re-offending.

Principal, Jo Trump said: “There is no way to shape this tragedy meaningfully. It was a senseless act. What we do know from Jack's incredible example, is that he knew and lived the values of community: serving those less fortunate than himself with compassion, courage and kindness. He is a young man of whom we can all be deeply proud."

"Jack’s commitment and humanity shone out. He believed in the best in people and was the best of people. The life of the whole Hills Road community is the poorer for his loss, and we shall continue to champion the values that Jack lived. Our love and thoughts are with his father and mother, Dave and Anne, and with the rest of his family and friends.”

Similar stories

The team: Jack third from right, Isobel socond from left

Hills Road Alumni Jack Merritt and Isobel Rowbotham work with the Learning Together initiative where students based at the University of Cambridge and students based in prison stud… More...

Holly at the Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati Temple in Bali

Alumna Holly Phipps shares her experiences from her gap year since leaving Hills Road last summer. More...

Sian (far left) with friends in the quad

Sian answers 5 questions and shares some embarrassing pictures (and stories) from her time at Hills Road! More...

Pippa outside Papworth Hospital

Pippa attended Hills Road from 2005-07. Last year she underwent life-changing surgery in the form of a double lung trans… More...

Hills Road Women's Rugby team

Newly formed Hills Road Sixth Form College's Women's Rugby team need help to buy new kit More...

Most read

Alexia Sloane

Alexia will be featuring on the BBC Radio 3 programme 'This Classical Life' on Saturday 12th October at 12.30pm to discuss her playlist with the prese… More...

Katherine signing a book

Join Katherine at the book launch on 28 May,18.00 at Heffers bookshop. Tickets are free at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-a-suffragette-in… More...

Ted Coney's 1931 Morris Minor

Hills Road's former Head of Art, Ted Coney and his Morris Minor ride again for NHS Charities Together appeal! More...

Have your say

 
This website is powered by
ToucanTech