The headmaster of St George’s Junior School has paid tribute to a student who died after being found unconscious in his Chertsey home on Saturday.

Zane Gbangbola, seven, was described as a “larger than life character” who was known throughout the Weybridge junior school, where he had been a pupil for a year-and-a-half.

Zane was taken to hospital at about 3.30am on February 8 alongside his mother and father, but died later the same day.

A post-mortem examination, which was carried out on Tuesday, February 11, found no clear cause of death and tests are continuing.

Anthony Hudson, headmaster at St George’s Junior School in Thames Street, Weybridge, said: “He was probably the best known pupil from the lower years among the upper years' children due not only to his lovely ‘shock of curls' which made him visibly stand out, but far more importantly because he was a passionate member of the green committee – a cause he had clearly inherited from his parents.

“He was only at the junior school for a year-and-a-half, but what a privilege for us all that what turned out to be the final chapter of Zane's life was spent among us here at St George's in years 1 and 2.

“It's been lovely for me personally this academic year to have had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours or so with him each week, teaching him religious education and taking him for football club.

“Zane and his wonderful parents would want us to see this as an opportunity to grow closer together as a community, and to help us to put a lot of our everyday worries into perspective. To appreciate that life is a gift from God and that is very good; we must rejoice in it and appreciate it as gift every moment of every day.”

The school are remembering Zane by recalling their favourite memories of him and will compile a memory book which will be presented to his parents.

Zane’s parents remain in hospital and are continuing to receive medical treatment.

An investigation into Zane’s death is being led by Surrey Police on behalf of the coroner.