Bridport school teacher arrested after child images are found (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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Bridport school teacher arrested after child images are found
10:55am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Bridport By Rene Gerryts
PROBE: The teacher suspected of possessing images of children works at Colfox School
A TEACHER at the Sir John Colfox School has been suspended following his arrest on suspicion of possessing indecent images.
The 34-year-old teacher has been released on police bail while further investigations take place.
A Dorset County Council spokesman said: “A member of staff at Sir John Colfox School was arrested, and has since been released on bail while police investigations continue.
“In view of the arrest, the school has suspended the individual concerned and is fully co-operating with the police during their investigation.”
Colfox headteacher Kay Taylor said she couldn’t comment and was last night referring all calls to Dorset County Council.
Police have been contacting parents to inform them of the ongoing investigation.
A police spokesman would only confirm that a 34-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images and has been bailed while investigations continue.
Police would also not reveal how many images were involved. At least 15 parents were contacted by police.
One said the police had named the man they were investigating although neither of his children were taught by the man.
He said: “It is something that worries me.
“The police rang me on Monday and told me what it was about and they did name the teacher.
“It was quite a shock.
“I believe he is very well liked.
“I don’t know if the police have contacted all the parents but I do know they have contacted at least 15.”
Another parent, Martin Bowen-Ashwin, said he had not known about the suspension until his son told him.
He said: “My son was aware why the teacher was suspended because of alleged inappropriate behaviour.
“My son is old enough to take this in his stride. Unfortunately nowadays what would have been shock and horror ten years ago isn’t so much to them now.
“The kids know more than we do as nothing is covered up for long.”
LANGUAGE COLLEGE
The Sir John Colfox School caters for around 900 pupils of which just over 120 are sixth formers.
There are around 60 members of teaching staff and more than 30 support staff.
The school sits in 12 acres of grounds and was one of the first Private Finance Initiative schools to be completed in the UK. The school is a specialist language college.
The year’s Ofsted report gave the school an overall ‘good’ grade and said the school has a community atmosphere with ‘very co-operative’ relationships between staff and students.
