A mother has this week welcomed an official inquiry into the death of her troubled son after he took his own life.

A Serious Case Review is being launched into the death of former Rickmansworth School pupil Andrew Kirkman whose body was found in a tent filled with toxic fumes on an Oxford common on Sunday, December 8.

His mother, Wendy Kirkman from Northwood, asked for the review to be carried out due to concerns about the events leading up to his death. 

She said: "I spent a harrowing six weeks talking to people, visiting shops, examining emails and text messages to put together a full picture of what happened to Andrew during the Autumn Term in 2013. 

"It started out as something I was doing to help myself understand what went so terribly wrong for him, but the more I found out, the more I felt that Andrew's death was avoidable and that those whose responsibility it was to safeguard him had failed him. 

"I decided, for the sake of all the other ‘Andrews’ out there, to submit a request for Oxford Adult Safeguarding Board to perform a Serious Case Review in the hope of improving the care that mentally ill students receive."

The inquest, held at Oxford Coroner’s Court on Thursday, May 2, heard that the student took his own life using a concoction of chemicals that filled his tent with lethal fumes.

The 20-year-old Physics and Philosophy undergraduate put signs up warning passers-by to stay away from the toxic tent and not to enter it without protective clothing.

The inquest heard Andrew had struggled with depression but hid it from his family as he did not want them to worry.

Ms Kirkman added: "It is my opinion that Andrew should have been in the care of a mental health specialist from very early on. 

"During his last few days I have no doubt that he should have been admitted into the care of a mental health crisis team and admitted to hospital. 

"Instead he was given some antidepressants, two GP appointments and some counselling from someone who the GP omitted to inform that Andrew was suicidal (Andrew had given permission to the GP to discuss his needs with others).  

"Even when they thought he was no longer safe the only support Andrew had was a few emails, text messages and unanswered phone calls."

The review, which is carried out by an independent chairman appointed by Oxfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, is expected to be concluded in December or January.