Wallasey School deputy headteacher arrested over child porn allegations

Mar 14 2012 by Ben Turner, Birkenhead News

Wallasey School deputy headteacher arrested over child porn allegations

THE deputy headteacher of a Wirral school was arrested over child porn allegations.

Rob Hughes, 55, was ordered to stay away from Wallasey School, in Moreton, where he works during the criminal investigation.

Police confirmed Mr Hughes, from Wallasey, was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

As part of the investigation the News understands police forensic experts are combing hard drives from a personal computer belonging to Mr Hughes. The investigation is at an early stage.

A source close to the Birket Avenue secondary said parents were not told about the reasons for Mr Hughes’ absence from the school, where he has worked for several years.

John Fryett, a North West official for Mr Hughes’ union, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), confirmed it knew of his suspension.

He added: “We are aware of the situation and we will be representing him.”

A Merseyside Police spokesman said Mr Hughes was arrested “on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children”.

He said Mr Hughes was released on police bail until May pending further inquiries.

Wallasey School issued a statement via Wirral Council, which confirmed Mr Hughes was suspended “as soon as a police investigation was made known to us”.

It added: “Consequently Mr Hughes is not working at the school and remains suspended.

“As you will appreciate the school has been restricted in what we can say due to police and local authority procedures.

“Our last Ofsted inspection stated ‘the very large majority of students say they feel safe and procedures for safeguarding are outstanding’ and the school continues to place the safeguarding of all students as our highest priority.

“In addition, steps have been taken to ensure the suspension does not impact on the education of our students and the general running of the school.”