A teacher at a former boarding school for girls in Halstead has been banned from teaching after claims he sexually abused pupils more than 30 years ago.

Christopher Charlton, 65, was described as a “father figure” to many pupils at Greenwood School, which taught girls with behavioural and learning difficulties before it closed in 1999. 

He was a teacher there in the 1980s and 1990s, but has since been accused of inappropriate physical contact and sexual abuse by some former pupils.

He denies all the allegations and was never charged.

A hearing at the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) heard evidence from a number of ex-pupils between June and July. 

The panel heard claims that Mr Charlton would hug and touch pupils inappropriately and develop his behaviour “gradually when he realised he could get away with it”. 

The panel heard he was described as “a good-looking teacher” who was “fancied” by a lot of pupils. 

A number of former students also told the panel that Mr Charlton would “hang around” in the changing room while pupils were changing. 

Another pupil described him as “overly friendly” and said he “creeped me out” with his behaviour, while another said his behaviour made her feel “uncomfortable”. 

Mr Charlton’s behaviour was described as “flirtatious” towards students and “touchy-feely”.

Following an account given by one of the former pupils who came forward, the panel concluded that Mr Charlton had “kissed and hugged” her “whilst she was naked”.

Mr Charlton, who did not attend the hearing, denied all of the alleged facts and denied unacceptable professional behaviour, saying the ex-pupils' statements had been fabricated, but without giving an indication as to why. 

The panel was aware the police had decided not to take further action following the allegations and there was no criminal prosecution.

In her decision, Sarah Buxcey, of the TRA, said: “The panel concluded that his physical contact, whilst inappropriate in any educational setting, was particularly inappropriate when working with extremely vulnerable young girls who were being housed and educated away from their families. 

“His conduct involved the sexual abuse of children who were particularly vulnerable because they were being educated and accommodated away from home. Mr Charlton abused his position of power over the pupils for the purpose of sexual gratification. 

“The evidence before the panel indicated that Mr Charlton had displayed a pattern of grooming behaviour during his time at the school.” 

The panel found he was to “remain a risk to children” due to not showing remorse for his alleged actions or insight into the effects of his alleged inappropriate behaviour.

Mr Charlton was banned indefinitely from teaching.