An assistant head teacher has been removed from his post after being accused of looking at child pornography.

Parents of pupils from Brighton's Dorothy Stringer High School, received letters yesterday morning informing them that assistant head teacher Ken Browne had left his post, after being arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

The letter, from chair of the school governors Reg Hook said: “A member of school staff, Ken Browne, was arrested on July 24, 2009 on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.

“I am able to advise you that he no longer works at the school.

“I am aware that this information may cause parents concern and I would like to reassure parents that the Governing body and staff at the school are working in co-operation with and with support from the local authority and police.

“Should either you or your child have any particular concerns arising from this issue, I would advise that in the first instance contact Brian Orrells, acting headmaster, or Suzanne Lewis, assistant head of pastoral care.”

Parents were told that the alleged offences did not involve any past or present pupils from the school, but council child services staff would be at the school for the next few weeks in case any students were upset.

The allegations are believed to have come to light as part of an ongoing police investigation by Sussex Police’s child protection unit and related to images downloaded from the internet.

Mr Browne was an assistant head teacher and head of languages at the school.

In January 2007 he was chosen as one of 25 ambassadors for British schools in Europe for an exchange project organised by the Foreign Office.

Sussex Police confirmed they were investigating, but would not release any further details about how the alleged offences came to light.

A spokeswoman for Brighton police said: “A 59-year-old Brighton man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

“The man is a senior staff member form the Dorothy Stringer school.

“The police investigation does not relate to any past or present pupils of the Dorothy Stringer school.”

Police would not reveal the nature of the images concerned or say how many pictures he is accused of possessing.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, Brighton & Hove City Council is unable to comment beyond the facts laid out in a letter to parents and carers this week.

“However, we can confirm that the council is working with governors and staff to provide information and support to children and their parents and carers about the matter.”

Neither the school or council would confirm whether Mr Browne had been permanently sacked or suspended from his post.