Teacher was suspended then allowed back to work

PAUL Woodward was suspended during a previous police investigation involving allegations of sexual abuse but was allowed back to work when it was decided there was no case to answer, the Chronicle can reveal.

The New Beacon's headteacher, Mike Piercy, has also said a separate allegation by the family of a boy at the school was investigated internally, but no evidence of any wrongdoing was found to have taken place.

Mr Piercy, who only joined the school in September, said of the police's initial involvement: "The police came to the school relating to matters outside the school. It was after that an allegation was made by a New Beacon family.

"It was thoroughly investigated by the school, social services and the police and there was no case found to answer."

Woodward had been suspended while investigations were carried out, but was subsequently reinstated.

Mr Piercy said he could not give the exact dates, but believed it was "some time ago".

Woodward was suspended again and later sacked when police started asking questions for a second time in the summer of 2007.

"We were very quick in terminating his employment even though at that stage it hadn't gone to court and the allegations had not been proven," said Mr Piercy.