A teenage boy today admitted murdering teacher Ann Maguire, who was stabbed to death in front of students at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds in April.
The 16-year-old student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the murder at Leeds Crown Court.
He has been jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 20 years in jail.
The court heard that the teenager stabbed Mrs Maguire in the neck and back with a kitchen knife while she was helping another student. He chased her out of the room before sitting back at his desk.
Mrs Maguire, a 61-year-old mother of two, had taught Spanish and RE at the school for 40 years and had been due to retire in a few weeks.
The defendant had previously exchanged messages on Facebook in which he spoke of “brutally killing” Mrs Maguire.
Pope Francis sent a message of support following her death and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols paid tribute to the pupils coming to terms with the “trauma” of her death during a visit to the school in May.
Meanwhile, a book of condolence was opened at Leeds Cathedral, with members of the public writing their tributes and prayers, and a memorial service was held at Leeds town hall in September.