AN ASSISTANT headteacher at Liverpool’s prestigious Blue Coat grammar school has been sacked over an inappropriate relationship with an A-Level student.

An investigation found there was no suggestion Nick Barends had sex with the student.

But the Daily Post understands Mr Barends, who had taught at the school for 18 years, was sacked over his conduct surrounding the girl and a perceived close relationship between the two.

Last night his union the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) said Mr Barends was “innocent” and had already lodged an appeal against his dismissal.

Mr Barends, in his 30s and from Liverpool, had been asked to stay off work for eight months while the top performing Wavertree school and the council investigated his behaviour surrounding the student, who has since left.

Although sixth-form students are above the age of consent, the law states it is a criminal offence for a person “to engage in any sexual activity with a person aged under 18 with whom they have a relationship of trust, irrespective of the age of consent, even if the basis for their relationship is consensual”.

Police have investigated the allegation and spoken to all parties.

But the teenager at the centre of the allegation has not made a complaint to police.

Mr Barends and his union had always insisted there was no sexual relationship between himself and the sixth former and after a lengthy investigation, the school accepted this was the case.