Neglect 'significantly' contributed to the death of an 11-year-old boy from an asthma attack at school, an inquest jury has ruled.

Sam Linton was left to sit in a corridor at Offerton High School, Stockport, struggling to breathe. He was wheezy and continuously using his inhaler – but the school failed to call an ambulance. He was eventually taken to Stepping Hill hospital but by then he could not be saved.

An inquest jury ruled Sam's death was a result of natural causes but it could have been prevented if prompt emergency treatment had been sought.

They took just under two hours to return their verdict and highlighted the failures of unnamed members of staff and medical procedures at the school.

The jury said Offerton High School had:

• failed to implement an integrated asthma policy in school
• failed to ensure members of staff were trained to deal with children having an asthma attack
• failed to keep an up-to-date health care plan
• failed to monitor Sam's condition when they saw him using his inhaler in the corridor between 12.20pm and 3.15pm on December 4, 2007.

All of these failures were found to have caused or significantly contributed to Sam's death.

Fighting back tears Sam's mother, Karen Linton, said: ““I'm angry, I'm very angry and I don't know how to express it at the moment.”

In a statement outside court family representative Jonathan Betts, or Irwin Mitchell solicitors, said the school had shown 'a complete absence of common sense in the event of a child suffering from an asthma attack'.

He said: “The fact that no one called an ambulance during the hours that Sam was suffering from a prolonged asthma attack is astounding and deeply troubling.

“The inquest has confirmed our worst fears about the way Samuel's asthma attack was handled at school. When you send your children to school you believe they will be looked after and cared for. Their safety and welfare is very important and we want to let others know that if they have concerns like this they should speak up before it's too late.

“We did everything we could to protect him and he will always be in our hearts.”

Karen and husband Paul added in a statement: “Samuel was a wonderful son and his loss has been devastating.

“The inquest highlighted what happened at school that day and the thought that his death may have been prevented is too much to bear.”

A spokesman for Stockport Council and Offerton High School said: "The death of a young person is an occasion of profound sadness and we extend our deepest sympathy to Samuel's parents and family.

"The school and local authority will continue to take steps to address the issues identified from Samuel's death.

“We are now considering the inquest verdict and the recommendations of the coroner as a matter of urgency and will take all necessary actions identified and needed.”