Counselling is being offered to students at Kirkwall Grammar School after a pupil was found dead at home.
Police said they were called to an address in Orkney at about 4pm on Saturday.
There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
The boy was a fourth year pupil at Kirkwall Grammar School.
In a statement online, Orkney Islands Council said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the tragic and sudden death of a fourth-year pupil from Kirkwall Grammar School on Saturday afternoon.
“I’m sure you will join us in saying that our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their friends and family at this unimaginably difficult time.”
Supporting Kirkwall pupils
Staff have been working in tandem with the education directorate and partner agencies over the course of the weekend to ensure support and guidance was available to pupils for the “foreseeable future.”
In their post, the council said space was also being made available for students in need of additional support, upon their return to school.
Guidance teams have also been made available to the youngsters.
Orkney communities come together in sympathy
Tributes have been pouring in across social media as news of the boy’s death broke.
Staff at Stromness Academy expressed their “heartfelt sympathies” to staff and pupils affected by the tragic news.
In a post, they wrote: “Heartfelt sympathies from the Stromness Academy community to our friends and colleagues at KGS.
“If any Stromness Academy pupil is touched by this tragic death, or any other issues which affect their mental health, we urge them to speak with a guidance teacher tomorrow, or any adult in school who they feel comfortable talking to, so that we can ensure they receive the support they need.
“For support outside of school hours, young people up to age 19 can contact Childline on 0800 1111.”
Orkney resident Brian Hayes added: “Sincere condolences to family and friends. RIP.”
The news comes less than two weeks after five students fell ill after capsules containing an unknown liquid inside were discovered.
Orkney Islands Council have confirmed the incidents are not related.
A police spokesman said: “Around 4pm on Saturday, February 5, 2022, police were called following the death of a teenage boy at an address in Orkney. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
- Anyone who is struggling, or needs someone to talk to, can call The Samaritans on 116 123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587.
- MikeysLine, based in the north, also offers a text-based help service on 07786 207755.