Princess Diana's former school has refused to comment on reports that its deputy head has been charged with possessing child pornography and having a relationship with a pupil.

William Whillock, from Staplehurst, has been charged with abuse of a position of trust and possessing indecent images.

The New School in West Heath, near Sevenoaks, denied that he is its deputy head, even though documents on its website refers to him as "vice principal."

According to reports, Mr Whillock of Headcorn Road, Staplehurst - pictured, right, in a photograph posted to his Facebook page - was arrested in front of staff and pupils, on Thursday, January 14.

The 56-year-old appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on Saturday, January 16, and was granted unconditional bail.

Formerly known as West Heath, the school was attended by Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, but closed in 1997; coincidentally the day after Diana and Dodi Fayed were killed in a car crash.

It reopened in 1998, as a pupil referral unit, after a donation from Mohamed Al Fayed, and is said to be a "living memorial" to Diana and Dodi.

According to its website, The New School has only one aim, "to rebuild young damaged lives through education."

On its website, the school's head teacher Christina Wells says her aim is to help children who are "emotionally scarred by abuse, bereavement, bullying or other trauma".

Mr Whillock - also known as Bill - was one of three designated child protection co-ordinators at the school, according to the website.