A ‘health-conscious’ head teacher took her own life because she feared she was getting dementia and becoming a burden, an inquest has heard.

Alison Higgins – described as thoughtful, inspirational and caring – had worked at Barham Primary School, near Canterbury, for a decade before her death in December.

The 61-year-old, from Hythe, suffered with insomnia and would lie ‘awake for hours at night working on her laptop’ as she struggled to sleep.

An inquest held this week in Maidstone heard she had suffered a mini-stroke the previous year.

Detective Sergeant Brian Burgess told the hearing: ‘Alison believed she was suffering from dementia. Day-to-day tasks in her family and professional life had likely become increasingly harder for her.

‘She felt as though she had become a burden on everyone around her.’

Mrs Higgins had not been diagnosed with dementia at the time of her death, but had seen her GP four days earlier.

She had been experiencing anxiety and grogginess, and hoped to change medication linked to other health issues.

Alison Higgins (pictured) – described as thoughtful, inspirational and caring – had worked at Barham Primary School, near Canterbury, for a decade before her death in December

An inquest held this week in Maidstone heard she had suffered a mini-stroke a year earlier. Oakwood House, where the inquest took place, is pictured

The inquest also heard she had a long-term diagnosis of depression and was prescribed sertraline, which toxicology tests found to be at a therapeutic level at the time of her death.

Mrs Higgins was found unresponsive at her home by her husband of 31 years, Christopher, shortly after 7am on Monday, December 8.

Paramedics attempted to carry out treatment for 40 minutes before she was pronounced dead.

In a statement read to the court by coroner Katrina Hepburn, Mr Higgins described his wife as ‘kind, generous and full of warmth’.

‘From her early teaching overseas in Portugal and Italy to her career in primary education in England, she devoted herself to creating opportunities for young people,’ he wrote.

‘She had a gift for noticing people, particularly those who might be struggling and helping them to feel seen, valued and included.

‘At the centre of everything was her family. She was utterly devoted to our sons, George and Jamie, and took immense pride in the young men that they are becoming.

‘She gave everything of herself to the people she loved. She was a loyal and enduring friend.

‘That was her way. Thoughtful, understated and full of love.’

He added his late wife found joy in life’s ‘simple and beautiful moments’, including time with family and friends, walks by the sea, swimming, good food and travel.

‘Our shared memories of Italy are especially important to her – years that brought her great happiness, which she carried with her throughout her life,’ he said.

The coroner concluded Mrs Higgins took her own life.

‘Given the presence of notes which were found in the property, and also we have a recent history of poor low mood, it does appear to be a starting place to consider suicide as an appropriate conclusion,’ the coroner said.

‘There is nothing to suggest that she was anticipating being found and rescued.’

Heartfelt tributes were paid to Mrs Higgins following the tragedy.

Barham Primary, where she was co-head teacher, said: ‘This news will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the children and families who have known Alison well, and especially the staff who worked closely alongside Alison for 10 years and considered her a dear colleague and friend.

‘We are sure you will have your own memories of Alison’s kind, thoughtful and supportive heart.

‘We have been incredibly fortunate to have been led by such an inspirational and caring head teacher here at Barham School.

‘Alison was totally committed to the school and so proud of all the children. She has touched the lives of so many children and families.’

Barham Parish Council said it was ‘deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing’ of Mrs Higgins.

A spokesman added: ‘She was a kind, thoughtful and dedicated teacher who made a lasting and positive contribution to the school and the wider village community, supporting and inspiring the many children she taught over the years.’

Reverend Stefan Thomas, of St John the Baptist Church in the village, said: ‘Such loss is magnified in knowing what a wonderful teacher she was who lived for the schoolchildren and her team of teachers for over 10 years.’