A female teacher has been dismissed from Chiswick School following allegations she engaged in a sexual relationship with a young male pupil.
The woman, who had been well-liked among staff, was sacked with immediate effect from the west London school after the teenage boy reported inappropriate contact.
Chiswick School sits within a prosperous area of London and is in the top three per cent of schools nationally.
The dismissal came after the pupil, understood to be in his early teens, disclosed sexually explicit messages he had received from the teacher to another member of staff.
Senior staff examined the boy's mobile phone and immediately escalated the matter, initiating a formal internal inquiry into the allegations.
The investigation concluded earlier this week with the teacher's formal dismissal from the school.
It is understood the pupil approached a staff member to reveal the contact he had been receiving from the teacher, presenting the messages as evidence.
The school acted swiftly once the complaint was raised, with the internal process moving rapidly from initial report to the teacher's departure.
A teacher has been sacked after allegedly having a relationship with a student
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The woman had previously been regarded as a popular figure at the highly rated state school before the allegations emerged.
Headteacher Laura Ellener communicated the dismissal to parents of the school's 1,200 pupils through a letter sent this week.
In her correspondence, Ms Ellener stated: "I wanted to make you aware that we have recently dealt with an allegation involving a member of staff with the utmost care and seriousness.
"We have followed all required procedures and made the necessary referrals. As a result, the member of staff has left the school with immediate effect.
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The teenage boy showed messages from the teacher to another member of staff, leading to the investigation
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"I am very conscious that there is some rumour and misinformation circulating.
"Our students should be praised for the mature and respectful way in which they are dealing with this.
"I would ask all families to reiterate to young people the importance of not engaging in gossip, speculation, or sharing unverified information."
Though the letter did not identify the teacher by name, it is believed most pupils and parents have become aware of who it concerns.
The headteacher assured parents that she and her colleagues remained dedicated to maintaining the highest safeguarding standards and care for every child at the school.
However, some parents have voiced concerns about the incident and the school's procedures.
One parent told the Daily Mail: "Parents are very worried about what's happened. There are all kinds of rumours about exactly what happened and none of this is good for the school or, more importantly, the pupils."
"There are even rumours that some of the messages and pictures sent by the teacher to this pupil are being circulated."
Another parent said: "The school needs to urgently look at its safeguarding procedures because something has gone horribly wrong."
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