A school leavers’ celebration turned into an emotional tribute as pupils gave a heartfelt standing ovation for a classmate left severely brain-damaged after a tragic accident.

Jack Dolan, 15, from Rainham, was unable to attend The Howard School’s Year 11 farewell event, but classmates and staff made sure he wasn’t forgotten.

The teenager suffered catastrophic injuries last summer when a diving stunt at Margate’s Stone Pier went horrifically wrong.

Jack had jumped into the sea last June but was knocked unconscious in the water and nearly drowned.

He was airlifted to King’s College Hospital in London, where a scan revealed no brain activity.

His family were told he wouldn’t survive.

Jack was placed on end-of-life care, a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order was made, and his loved ones said their goodbyes - not once, but three times.

“We took him to the hospice to die,” said his stepdad, David Dolan, last year.

“We planned his funeral, chose songs, picked pallbearers, and we said goodbye to him three times.”

But in a moment doctors describe as nothing short of miraculous, Jack began to respond about a month after the accident.

While at a hospice, he grabbed his mum and uttered the word “help”.

Since then, Jack has defied all medical expectations.

During Friday’s leavers’ event at The Howard School in Gillingham, the Year 11 cohort and staff stopped to honour Jack’s remarkable fight for life.

In a statement shared on social media, the school said: “During today’s Year 11 celebration, our entire Year 11 student body and staff paused to give a heartfelt standing ovation to one of our own - Jack - who couldn't be with us in person.

“Jack’s strength, courage, and recovery journey have inspired us all.

“After a life-changing accident in June, Jack has defied every expectation and continues to amaze his medical team and all who know him. His determination is nothing short of extraordinary.

“This moment was filled with love, pride, and support - a reminder of the power of community and the impact one student can have on so many.

“We’re all behind you, Jack. Keep fighting, keep shining.”

Jack, who has two younger sisters, was described by his family as an active and mischievous lad who loved spending time with friends.

Following the incident, he suffered numerous complications - including heart issues, seizures, a collapsed lung and a serious chest infection.

At one point, his family feared the infection would claim his life, but Jack fought it off without medical intervention, even reinflating his lung himself.

After being diagnosed initially as being in a vegetative state, Jack’s condition has since improved dramatically.

He’s now classified as “conscious with impairments”, and his diagnosis is expected to change again soon to a “movement and function disorder”.

At the moment, the family is paying privately for weekly physiotherapy sessions and was able to fund a hyperbaric chamber, which is an enclosed space with higher air pressure used to increase oxygen delivery to the body, through fundraising.