A former Rickmansworth School pupil who was found dead at the weekend has been described as a popular young man of "great intellect and charm".

Staff said the school community had been left "deeply affected" after the body of Andrew Kirkman was discovered in a tent on a common, near Oxford, on Sunday.

The body of the 20-year-old, who was a student at Oxford, was found at 12.25pm by a member of the public in Port Meadow.

Police believe the tent was filled with a poisonous gas and six other people were treated and discharged by paramedics at the scene.

Rickmansworth School staff have paid tribute to Mr Kirkman, who came from Northwood.

Gordon Gentry, deputy headteacher, said: "At this time our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We all remember Andrew fondly as a young man of great intellect and charm. His teachers didn’t so much teach him as guide him through school."

Mr Gentry, who also taught Andrew chemistry, added: "Andrew would ask the most incredible questions. He thought deeply about what he was being told and would always seek answers that satisfied his scientific curiosity."

Watford Observer: Andrew Kirkman Physics teacher, Drew Thomson, described Andrew as being "amazingly well read".

Mr Thomson added: "He really kept me on my toes with his thirst for knowledge and understanding."

Head of sixth form, Caroline Wilkes, said: "He was a popular student whom his peers recognised as being one of the very best. We were all very excited for him when he succeeded in gaining a place at Oxford University to study Physics and Philosophy."

Acting head, Mark Allchorn, said: "Andrew was a very bright and well-loved former student and our school community has been deeply affected by this tragedy. We are closely monitoring the wellbeing of all students in the coming days and offering support where necessary."

The school is giving support is being given to students to help them come to terms with Mr Kirkman’s death.

Mr Gentry added: "Andrew will live long in our memory and, as a school, we will do everything we can to support his parents, brothers and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss."

Police are not treating the death as suspicious.