In 2010, David Weston, a teacher at an English grammar school, announced that he was gay at a school assembly. 

Four years later, Weston has received an unexpected and heartwarming email from one of his former students who claims his courage had a hugely positive impact on his school. 

The email, which Weston shared on his Twitter account, tells him how his coming out helped "challenge the ignorance of people today" and had a "positive impact" even on heterosexual students such as himself. 

When Weston thanked the student for his kind words and informed him of the overwhelmingly large and positive response it received online, the student responded:

"I am overwhelmed with happiness at the response that this message has received – but let me remind you that it is your courage which people are picking up on, not my small act of kindness. I am overjoyed that your assembly is receiving the recognition it deserves."

The tweet, which Weston shared alongside the student's email, has been shared thousands of times already.

Weston decided to come out to his school after he received a life-saving liver transplant following a four year bout of ill health. 

He has since left teaching to set up his own charity, the Teacher Development Trust, to help children succeed in life and study.