On April 21, 2023, the quiet community of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England was shaken by the tragic loss of 16-year-old Caitlyn Scott-Lee, a student at the prestigious Wycombe Abbey School. Her body was found in a secluded part of the boarding school after she was missing at curfew time.
Known for her brilliance and vibrant spirit, Caitlyn’s death came just a day before she was to serve her first-ever school detention, an event that deeply troubled her. The punishment was a result of alcohol being found in the teen’s locker.
Caitlyn, diagnosed with autism, experienced life with an intensity that sometimes overwhelmed her. A recently concluded inquest revealed that the anxiety about the impending detention might have exacerbated her vulnerabilities. Senior Coroner Crispin Butler announced on May 1, 2024, that there was “no evidence” to suggest the school could have anticipated the tragic events of that April 21st evening. Caitlyn’s death was recorded as a suicide by the coroner.
Her father, Jonathan Scott-Lee, described how Caitlyn’s perception of punitive measures was not just about the detention itself but also about a fear of being misunderstood, which felt like a severe injustice.
Her father, a senior executive and also autistic, has been vocal about the needs of neurodiverse children. He emphasized that people like his daughter often see the world in stark contrasts, challenging navigating traditional educational settings. In response to his daughter’s death, he has called for more awareness and better support structures in schools to accommodate neurodiverse students.
The impact of Caitlyn’s death was profound. Wycombe Abbey’s headmistress, Jo Duncan, expressed the school’s sorrow, noting the shock felt by Caitlyn’s peers and the broader school community. She assured that the school prioritized supporting the pupils through their grief, offering counseling and support sessions.
Caitlyn’s diaries are now being studied by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The entries are crucial to understanding how her thoughts and feelings evolved, potentially providing insights into the pressures faced by similar children. Her last entries highlighted her distress over her upcoming detention and her struggle with feeling misunderstood.
Caitlyn’s family has chosen to honor her love for nature by requesting donations to The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. This reflects her passion for environmental conservation and photography, where she found joy and solace.
As the community and her family continue to process this loss, the broader conversation about the pressures that young people face in school, especially those with neurodiverse conditions, is gaining traction. Caitlyn’s life and untimely departure are a stark reminder of the need for sensitivity and adaptability in educational practices to nurture every student’s well-being.