A TEACHER at a top Merseyside private school has been charged with abusing her position of trust.

Hannah McIntyre, 24, was suspended from her position at Merchant Taylors' Boys’ School in Crosby in January after allegations of sexual misconduct with a student.

Police confirmed Miss McIntyre, from Waterloo, was charged under section 16 of the Sexual Offences Act and is due to appear at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on July 28.

The classics teacher, who took up a role at the £2,727-a-term boys school in September 2007, was arrested and bailed in January this year.

Miss McIntyre’s alleged misconduct was said to have involved sixth-form students outside school hours and away from the Liverpool Road premises about a year earlier.

After being questioned she was granted bail while further inquiries were made and she was immediately suspended.

Although sixth form pupils are above the age of consent, it is a criminal offence to have a sexual encounter with someone under 18 if there is a relationship of trust, even if the basis for their relationship is consensual.