Ex-school staff held over relationship with pupil

Outside view of Cavendish School in EastbourneImage source, Google
Image caption,

Two former staff members at Cavendish School in Eastbourne have been arrested

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Two former members of staff at an Eastbourne school have been arrested over reports of inappropriate relationships with a teenage pupil.

Police said the two men previously worked at Cavendish School and the alleged offences are reported to have taken place in 2019.

A 59-year-old man and a 52-year-old man, both from Eastbourne, have been arrested and released on bail.

Headteacher Peter Marchant sent a letter to parents informing them of the police investigation.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: "We are investigating reports of non-recent inappropriate relationships between two members of staff and a teenage pupil at Cavendish School in Eastbourne."

The force said a 59-year-old man from Eastbourne has been arrested on suspicion of abuse of position of trust and possession of indecent images of children.

A 52-year-old man from Eastbourne has been arrested on suspicion of arranging to meet a girl under 16 years of age following grooming.

The spokesperson added: "We are working closely with the school, which is fully supporting the investigation, and neither member of staff remains in employment at the school."

In a statement, the school said: "We are working closely with the police and are fully supporting the investigation.

"To reassure the Cavendish community, safeguarding practices in the school are deemed as effective, which was again verified in our recent Ofsted inspection (September 2023)."

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