A FORMER teacher at a leading independent school has admitted a number of sex offences against a former pupil.

Helen Skene

A FORMER teacher at a leading independent school has admitted a number of sex offences against a former pupil.

Peter Clayton, who was head of music at Ipswich High School for Girls, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

The offences relate to a former sixth form student at the school.

The 56-year-old, of Laburnham Close, Great Bentley, was given bail while a pre-sentence report is prepared. He will return to the court on March 16.

Clayton was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register and he was released from court on bail.

Judge Neil McKittrick said: “I'm going to adjourn this case for two reasons; for the Crown to consider the basis of plea entered today and secondly for a report to be prepared by the National Probation Service ready for March 16 for sentencing on that day.”

He said the report would be “an all options” pre-sentence report.

Ross Jones prosecuted the case and Richard Atchley acted on behalf of Clayton during the plea and case management hearing.

The school, in Woolverstone, has confirmed that Clayton no longer works there.

A spokesman said: “Mr Clayton has left the employ of Ipswich High School and will not be returning.

“We co-operate fully with any official enquiry, and would not hesitate to bring matters to the attention of the appropriate authorities where we think there might be a case to answer.”