Student, 18, was found hanged in bathroom of £53,000-a-year boarding house just weeks after starting at school, inquest hears

Student, 18, was found hanged in bathroom of £53,000-a-year boarding house just weeks after starting at school, inquest hears For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org By ELEANOR MANN, JUNIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 12:52 GMT, 21 November 2025 | Updated: 12:52 GMT, 21 November 2025 A pupil who tragically died at a boarding school just weeks after starting has been named, as the inquest into his death began this week. Songcheng Fang, 18, was discovered unresponsive in the bathroom at his boarding house in Kent College Canterbury on Monday night. The inquest heard how Songcheng - known as Franklin to his friends - had only started boarding at the school in September. He was last seen at 8.15pm for evening registration. Another pupil, who shared a bedroom with Songcheng, told police he heard him enter a communal bathroom used by three dormitories at around 10pm. Concerns were raised an hour later when the water was still running inside the bathroom. Staff turned off the supply but received no response from the pupil, so the boarding master forced the door open. The teenager was found unresponsive and attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. Songcheng Fang, 18, was found dead at the boarding house of Kent College Canterbury on Monday night Fees at the co-educational boarding school cost up to £17,798 per term The provisional medical cause of death was given as hanging. Further hearings will consider Songcheng's intent and the circumstances leading up to his death. Student, 18, dies after 'medical episode' at £53,000-a-year boarding school In an email to parents, headmaster Mark Turnbull said Franklin had 'won considerable praise from his teachers for the manner in which he approached the opportunities at the school'. The senior school was closed on Tuesday to allow his peers 'time to come to terms with the tragic loss'. A statement released by the private school said: 'We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our boarding pupils on November 17. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends and our wider school community. 'We are now supporting our pupils and their families.' Kent College, a co-educational private school, dates back to 1885 and has more than 500 pupils. It has five houses for senior school pupils, and takes students from nursery age up to 18. Fees for boarding cost up to £17,798 per term. Police said earlier this week they were called to a medical incident on Whitstable Road, Canterbury, at just before 11pm on Monday. A police spokesperson said: 'Officers attended the scene along with paramedics, and an 18-year-old man was confirmed to be deceased. 'His death is being treated as non-suspicious, and a report will be compiled for the coroner.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org. Share or comment on this article: Student, 18, was found hanged in bathroom of £53,000-a-year boarding house just weeks after starting at school, inquest hears Add comment