The headteacher of a former school in Whitchurch has said no pupils were harmed by a teacher who was convicted for child pornography.

Helen Clarke, who was head at the White House School in Whitchurch has said that she was “appalled and horrified” by former teacher Peter Godfrey who was convicted for possession of child pornography.

Godfrey was dismissed from his role in 2020 after being convicted on a series of charges including  “three counts of Making Indecent Photograph or Pseudo-Photograph of Children”, “one count of Possession of Extreme Pornographic Images - of Intercourse/Oral Sex with Dead /Alice Animal” and “one count of Possess Prohibited Images of Children”.

READ MORE: Former Shropshire teacher banned after being found with child pornography

Godfrey was then arrested again in 2022 after left the area to go to a seaside town, and used a laptop and a memory stick to “download and retain indecent images of children” leading to a 16 month prison sentence.

However, Ms Clarke said that subsequent Police investigation found no children at the school hade been harmed by Godfrey.

“The White House School had no knowledge of Mr Godfrey’s activities until being informed of his arrest by Staffordshire Police,” said Ms Clarke. “Mr Godfrey was immediately suspended from his employment, pending further police investigations. 

"He was dismissed in August 2020.

“The police informed the school that there were no indecent images of pupils of the White House School found on any of Mr Godfrey’s devices. 

"I hope that this will reassure the parents of pupils who were at the school during Mr Godfrey’s employment."

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Ms Clarke added that the information wasn’t made public at the time due to requests from the police and legal advice she received.

“The school collaborated fully with the police, including police insistence on confidentiality, and followed legal advice,” said Ms Clarke. 

“The situation was dealt with professionally at all times, with The White House School informing and working with the required agencies.

“Professional and Safeguarding checks carried out before Mr Godfrey’s employment did not disclose any concerns.  

“During the most recent Ofsted inspection, inspectors (who were aware of the situation) found that Safeguarding arrangements in the school were effective.

“I am appalled and horrified by any such conduct and by the harm that is caused to children anywhere in the making of indecent images.”