WORCESTERSHIRE

County Council has defended its actions after reports that Pershore High School allowed a sex offender to resign quietly, only for him to continue to abuse children.

Russell Ward, a PE assistant at the school, left his job at Pershore after taking photographs of nude children before going on to a school in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, where he sexually abused teenage boys.

Ward, 31, was this week sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life for these crimes.

Now child welfare group Childline has demanded a probe into why Ward was allowed to resign.

But a spokesman for the council said the then headteacher did not know the photographs had been of a sexual nature, and no official complaint had been made.

"The headteacher was made aware of potential improper conduct by Ward in 1999," said Lee Shrimpton, of the council's Press office.

"The next day, Ward was interviewed by the head and suspended. His resignation was received shortly after.

"There were no allegations that the photographs being taken during extra tuition were of a sexual nature.

"The matter was investigated as thoroughly and as quickly as possible by the headteacher and copies of the relevant information remain on file."

But Wednesday's court case was told "the victim complained to his parents who took the matter up with the school, but Ward was allowed to resign and the police were not notified".

Speaking during the case, prosecutor Simon Ward said: "That allowed the defendant to go on with his career as a teacher and to indecently assault other young men."

A full investigation into the incident last year revealed Ward had used exercise tuition as an excuse to touch boys aged 14 and 15. He made them take showers naked and took nude pictures of them.

It has also come to light that a second teacher at Pershore High School was found guilty of sexual assault before Ward's departure.

John Tunwell was jailed in 1995 for six months for a sex attack on a 15-year-old boy.

Mr Shrimpton said this proved the school had nothing to hide as it had informed police when it knew a sexual act had taken place.

"The reputation of Pershore High School, as well as of staff past and present, should not be called into question," he added.

"Appropriate action was taken to address this unfortunate episode."