THE head of a school where a teacher has been banned from the profession from life has issued a statement outlining the events leading up to his sacking.

Heathfield Community School headteacher Peter Hoare carried out an investigation into allegations made against Simon Pickhaver before the governors agreed to sack him.

Mr Hoare has this week written a letter to parents and guardians.

A disciplinary hearing this month decided to end Pickhaver's career after hearing he e-mailed pupils and even invited them round to his house.

Pickhaver, who had previously been suspended at another school for an "intimate" relationship with a 15-year-old student, told one girl at Heathfield that he loved her.

This is the full text of Mr Hoare's letter.

"You are no doubt aware of the recent news coverage relating to a former employee Mr Simon Pickhaver.

"Whilst I cannot comment on the actions of his previous employers in other counties, nor would it be appropriate for me to comment on my predecessors’ actions at Heathfield, I can provide clarity and accuracy about the events leading to Mr Simon Pickhaver's dismissal.

"I was appointed to the post of Headteacher in January 2013.

"During the first week of the summer holidays in July 2016, I was made aware of a very serious allegation against Mr Simon Pickhaver.

"The evidence presented to me was of grave concern.

"After taking advice from Somerset Services for Education HR, I immediately suspended Mr Simon Pickhaver without prejudice in mid-August pending a very thorough and confidential investigation.

"During this period, Mr Simon Pickhaver was banned from school premises and advised against communication with members of the school community without my prior consent.

"This investigation was carried out with support from the Local Authority Designated Officer (who is responsible for Safeguarding), Local Authority Human Resources, Police, Social Services and in consultation with Bath & Wells Diocese.

"I carried out a number of interviews and witness statements were taken.

"On conclusion of my investigation the governors convened a dismissal panel to consider my report findings and recommendations.

"This panel met in January 2017. Mr Simon Pickhaver was invited to attend but declined.

"At this meeting, the governors considered my report and recommendations and unanimously agreed that Mr Simon Pickhaver be dismissed with immediate effect.

"The school understands the concerns that the recent NCTL hearing will have raised but can reassure parents and pupils that we have all the relevant safeguarding policies and procedures in place including DBS checks and Safer Recruiting.

"In this case the school acted quickly and appropriately as soon as allegations were made, suspending the member of staff before ultimately terminating their employment.

"The school undertakes all the relevant safeguarding and recruitment checks with employing staff. That was the case in 2002, as it is now.

"If there is any indication that someone is unfit to work with children or has previously had a bar from teaching which has expired or has been lifted, this would be taken into account.

"However, if a bar from teaching has expired or been lifted, this would not be disclosed to the school in this process.

"As a Head and as a parent, I am concerned that sensitive details of Mr Simon Pickhaver's behaviour were reported in such a way as to cause further distress to those pupils and parents affected by it.

"We accept that this is an important item of news, but when children are involved some degree of sensitivity in reporting must be exercised.

"Heathfield School will continue to place safeguarding at the heart of all it does."