TEENAGERS have been praying for “a miracle” as the search continues for a classmate feared drowned after being swept away off the Brazilian coast.

Elliot Deslandes, 14, disappeared a week ago during a trip organised by a local Buddhist centre and was among a group of youngsters struck by a powerful wave while swimming.

It has now emerged the “intelligent, grade-A” student was a pupil at Woldgate College, in Pocklington. Staff and fellow pupils said they are holding out hope he will be found alive, and head teacher Jeff Bower said a special assembly of prayer had been held for his year-group.

Elliot and two other Woldgate students travelled to Brazil with the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre, based at Kilnwick Percy Hall, near Pocklington.

He has not been seen since he went swimming with five friends at Lopes Mendes beach on Ilha Grande, an island near Rio de Janeiro, last Tuesday.

Reports have suggested other members of the group managed to battle their way to shore when the wave struck, but Elliot may have been thrown against rocks.

Mr Bower, said yesterday: “We heard about it last Thursday and held an assembly of prayer for his school year.

“He had only been with us a few months after joining in September, but he had already made such a big impact on everybody here. He is a friendly, cheerful, engaging young man who is liked by all.

“He really has made such an impact in such a short time. We are all just praying for good news to arrive – everybody is hoping for a miracle.

“The worst part for everybody is the agonising wait for news. It makes it worse just not knowing.”

Kelsang Lekma, resident teacher at the Buddhist Meditation Centre, said: “We know he has been missing for a week, but we are praying and hoping for him and his family.

“Elliot is an absolutely delightful boy and showed maturity beyond his years. He hoped one day to live full time at a Buddhist centre and that was why he was here.”

It was initially reported that Elliot was from York, but later information linked him to Arnold, near Nottingham where his mother, Beverley White, lives.

Mrs White, 31, is frantically trying to find out what has happened and is now in Brazil with her sister, Ria.

Before flying out she said: “All I know is they got into difficulty. There was a big wave and the lads got swept out, but he didn’t come up.

“All I know is my little boy is out there all on his own.”

A Facebook group called Pray for Elliot Deslandes has been set up and the Foreign Office has said it is providing the family with consular assistance.