A senior master at one of Britain’s most famous public schools has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage former girl pupil.
Dr Dean Johnson, 48, who is married with children, has now quit his post as physics teacher at elite Charterhouse School in Surrey.
In a letter to parents, the £31,680-a-year school said Dr Johnson has left amid allegations of an “inappropriate relationship” with an ex sixth-former.
She is thought to be aged around 18 and no longer a pupil at Charterhouse, which is based at Godalming in Surrey.
Dr Johnson, who was a Physics master at the school for 12 years, was detained in Godalming by police on April 12.
He lived in a £500,000 house in the town which was owned and supplied by the school, whose famous former pupils include broadcasters David and Jonathan Dimbleby.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said: “A 48-year-old man is currently on conditional bail in relation to an allegation of a serious sexual offence at an address in Godalming.
“He is due to report back to Guildford Police Station on 16 July 2013.”
A police source confirmed that the ‘serious sexual offence allegation’ was rape.
A Charterhouse spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a teacher has resigned from the school following serious concerns regarding allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
“It would be improper to say anything further.”
Parents say they were told this week that Dr Johnson has resigned because of ‘an inappropriate relationship’.
But the letter from Headmaster The Reverend John Witheridge makes no mention of his arrest.
It reads: “I write to inform you that Dr. Dean Johnson (Physics) has resigned after the school was made aware of serious concerns about the existence of an inappropriate relationship with a former sixth-form girl.
“I am sure you will understand that I am unable to go into any further detail.
“Arrangements are being made to cover Dean’s teaching and other duties.
“If you have any concerns, do please let me know, and I will do my best to answer them if I can.”
Dr. Johnson appears to have advertised himself as a private tutor, charging between £25 and £40 an hour for lessons in Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics to GCSE, A-level and university standard.
On the ‘A+ Tutors’ website for the Surrey area an entry in his name says: “Physics Master at Charterhouse school for 12 years, Oxford and Cambridge graduate in Astrophysics.
“I am one of the best Physics tutors you will ever get!”
Charterhouse describes itself as ‘one of the leading independent schools in the world’ and has over 400 years of history.
It is predominantly a boarding school with around 800 pupils, taking boys from 13 and girls in the Sixth Form.
Other famous ex-pupils include shamed pop impressario Jonathan King, rock star Peter Gabriel and journalist and historian Sir Max Hastings.
You really ought to credit the newspaper this weas lifted from.