Ex-master arrested on suspicion of historic sex crimes at £53,000-a-year school attended by Richard Branson and Henry Cavill
Police investigating historic sex crimes, including rape, at one of England’s top schools have arrested a former head of department.
The man, in his 80s, taught for decades at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, where his former students include Sir Richard Branson.
The former teacher was arrested by police on suspicion of rape and indecent assault at the £53,000-a-year school.
The investigation was launched after a woman in her 50s alleged she was sexually assaulted by him while she was at the former boys’ school, where girls were admitted to sixth form, in the 1980s.
Police are also understood to have interviewed other former female students whom the man taught in the late 1980s, leading to his arrest in November last year.
Founded in 1923, Stowe’s other former students include the late Hollywood star David Niven, Superman actor Henry Cavill and film director Matthew Vaughn.
Two of Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy and Cressida Bonas, attended Stowe, which opened its doors to more girls before switching to fully co-educational in 2003.
More recently, the school has become famous for producing sporting talents such as English cricketer Ben Duckett and rugby prodigy Henry Pollock.
The former head of department at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire (pictured), now in his 80s, was arrested on suspicion of rape and indecent assault
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: ‘We received a report of non-recent sexual offenses at Stowe School in the late 1980s.
‘An investigation was launched and a man in his 80s from Bicester was arrested on suspicion of rape and indecent assault. He was released on bail while our investigations continue.
‘The investigation is ongoing and thoroughly progressed; Extensive ongoing investigations also contributed to the length of the investigation.’
Other private schools recently hit by allegations of historic child abuse include Kingswood School in Bath, which has called on former pupils to come forward after an alleged assault in the 1990s, and Tony Blair’s former school Fettes College in Edinburgh.
Fettes governors this year issued an unreserved apology to those who were abused at the school from the 1950s to the late 1980s.
Stowe manager Anthony Wallersteiner said: ‘We are aware of an investigation into a former member of staff. We condemn sexual, physical and emotional abuse and acknowledge the harm it can cause.
‘We urge all victims of abuse to come forward. ‘The school has been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and the report reflects the excellent quality of pastoral care and our commitment to ensuring all safeguarding standards are met and strictly followed.’
