School teacher faces court after allegations of indecent images being found on his computer

John Fleck, 53, from Dursley, appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on Friday, October 3 charged with six counts of making indecent images of children (IIOC)and two counts of possession of IIOCbetween January 1 1998 and January 29 2014.

Fleck, who taught at Severn Vale School in Quedgeley, will now appear at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday, October 30.

Parents of children that attend the secondary school in School Lane have been sent letters informing them that a teacher at the school had been fired following the discovery of indecent images of children on his computer.

It read: "We are deeply saddened to report that a former teacher at Severn Vale, Mr Fleck, has been charged

with making and possessing indecent images of children and will be appearing in court.

"Please be assured that ‘making’ is not the same as ‘taking’ and images were ‘made’ by downloading from the internet, not actually taking photographs.

"A thorough investigation has been completed by the police. All of the evidence and charges relate to online digital material.

"There is no suggestion of any concerns relating to students at Severn Vale, past or present."

Fleck was immediately suspended when the school was first made aware of the allegations.

Parents have also been invited to contact the school if they have any further questions or concerns regarding the situation.

Richard Johnson, headteacher at Severn Vale School, said: “When the allegations were brought to the school’s attention we were all deeply shocked and disappointed.

"Mr Fleck was immediately suspended and his employment has since been terminated.

“Throughout the investigation we worked closely with the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Board and the police and no charges relate to students at Severn Vale past or present.

"Our safeguarding processes are robust and effective and nothing is more important to us than making sure our students are safe at school.”