A new student at a private school left notes to his family saying he thought he was a disappointment before he was found hanged.

An inquest into Hristo Gergov's death told how the sixth former at Earlscliffe School in Folkestone had engaged in counselling after admitting a history of self harm to a teacher, despite no mention in his medical notes.

He was later suspended after he tested positive for cannabis, which he said he smoked as a way of coping with his mental health problems.

The 16-year-old, who was from Bulgaria, was was found dead by his roommate in their dormitory in Grimston Gardens on the morning of Sunday, November 25.

He had left notes saying he considered himself to be a disappointment and felt as though he had let his family down.

In a statement read out in court to coroner Coroner Patricia Thomas, headmaster Tim Fish told how the pupil was considered "motivated and bright" by staff, despite only attending the institution for a matter of weeks after joining last September.

The Earlscliffe School provides specialist English language education for international boys and girls between the ages of eight and 17.

Mr Gergov had made friends there and was expected to do well.

It added that in October, Mr Gergov had tested positive for cannabis during a random drugs test at the school.

In a meeting following the screening, Mr Gergov revealed to Mr Fish that he used the class B drug as a way of coping with his mental health, and that he had self harmed in the past.

"I don't think anybody had a real understanding of the type of turmoil this young man was experiencing..." - Coroner Patricia Thomas

Mr Gergov was suspended but referred to a counsellor by his GP. The counsellor saw the teenager a number of times, but he then cancelled a session towards the end of November to play football instead.

On November 23, a few days before his death, Mr Gergov was caught drinking alcohol and was confined to the grounds.

The coroner noted there was nothing untoward at that meeting and in the steps taken by the school.

Mr Fish's statement noted the teenager may have thought he was going to be expelled.

DS Ben Howard from Folkestone Police Station had attended the scene where Mr Gergov was found and told the court how third party involvement was ruled out.

He said: "There was no sign of any disturbance. We also found some notes by Hristo."

Medical records provided to the school and assessments prior to his admission suggested no evidence of previous mental health issues, the coroner told the court.

Summing up, the coroner said: "He was a troubled young man who had a history of self harm and depression.

"It is clear from the evidence I have that his mental health history was simply not disclosed to the school."

The coroner concluded that the death was suicide.

She said: "I am satisfied that Hristo tragically took his life. This was a locked room.

"I don't think anybody had a real understanding of the type of turmoil this young man was experiencing.

"This was not a cry for help. This is a tragic case."

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family overseas, and fellow students and staff at this most challenging time..." - Earlscliffe School headmaster Tim Fish

Tim Fish, director of Earlscliffe School in Folkestone, said: “Our college community has been greatly saddened by the death of one of our international sixth form students.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family overseas, and fellow students and staff at this most challenging time.

"We continue to provide professional counselling as required and all members of our community have supported each other enormously in recent days and will do so in the coming weeks and months ahead.

"We have communicated regularly with the families of all our students and have received many messages of support and condolence from all over the world which have been both touching and appreciated."

The school held a memorial ceremony for the sixth former following his passing.

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