Former teacher on sex charges

Peter Smith, who left the school in April, had also worked at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) in Wakefield. He is alleged to have sexually touched a pupil between 2006 and 2007, while working at the Wakefield school.

Smith, 38, of Pilling Lane, Scissett, pleaded not guilty to eight charges of sexually touching a boy when he appeared at Wakefield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday September 6.

This week, Batley Grammar headteacher Brigid Tullie wrote to parents saying the charges did not relate to Mr Smith’s time at the Batley school.

She said: “When Mr Smith was appointed to the post of deputy head at the school in September 2008, there had been no concerns raised regarding his behaviour. The school has rigorous safeguarding procedures for its staff and as soon as we became aware of the police investigations the school took all necessary precautions to implement these procedures immediately.”