A member of staff at a local secondary school remains suspended for flouting its social media rules as an internal investigation continues into allegations involving two employees linked to the posting of indecent photos online.

However Annie Thomson, the head teacher of Marlborough Science Academy, Watling Street, has reassured parents and pupils that “no crime has been committed”.

Following revelations in last week’s Herts Advertiser about a pupil under the age of consent seeing explicit photos of two men, Ms Thomson said yesterday (18): “One member of staff is suspended for contravening the school’s social media policy and professional code of conduct.

“This staff member will remain suspended while the investigation is ongoing.

“The investigation into the other staff member is nearing completion and the governors will determine the final outcome of this.

“I would like to reiterate that the school is following appropriate school policy and procedures in investigating this issue and that no crime has been committed.”

The academy, which has gradually been releasing information on the incident via Herts county council’s press office, recently told this paper that the allegation stemmed from photos seen by a pupil after he had created a profile on a networking site for over-18s .

Ms Thomson, who maintained support was being provided for all concerned, said: “A Key Stage 4 student created an account on a dating social networking site that requires users to be 18 years of age. This resulted in an unwitting brief online communication taking place between staff and the student.

“The student’s parents have been hugely supportive in the way the school is conducting the investigation and understand completely that no crime has been committed, as confirmed by relevant agencies.

Ms Thomson said the pupil “is not in school while the investigation takes place. Marlborough takes e-safety really seriously and it is high on our agenda, as it is in all schools nationally.”