A SECONDARY school teacher has been sacked over his relationship with a pupil, it was revealed today.

Alan Dawson, a maths teacher at Pleckgate High School, Blackburn, was dismissed following a staff disciplinary hearing led by the headteacher.

Criminal proceedings against the 37-year-old were dropped after police expressed concern about the victim's health.

But documentation and evidence which would have been used in the court case were handed over to the school in January for an internal investigation.

The headteacher's findings were then referred to a governors' disciplinary committee.

Now Dawson, who was suspended from his post in October, has been sacked on the grounds of gross professional misconduct.

He could be struck off altogether when the case goes before the General teaching Council (GTC).

Headteacher Heather Jamison today said: "On studying the evidence submitted and hearing from some of the people I had interviewed, the committee concluded that Mr Dawson had been guilty of gross professional misconduct.

"As a school we absolutely condemn the forming of inappropriate relationships between any member of staff and our pupils, since it abuses the professional and very special trust placed in teachers.

"This matter has placed our pupils, parents, staff and governors in very difficult circumstances and I would wish to express my gratitude for the positive way in which they have supported the school over the past few months."

Peter Morgan, director of education and lifelong learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said today: "The evidence presented by the headteacher convinced the governing body that Mr Dawson was guilty of gross professional misconduct. Following the review of the case the council will present its observations to the department of education and the GTC in relation to Mr Dawson's suitability as a registered teacher."

Dawson did not attend the disciplinary hearing.

The teacher, of Astley Bridge, Bolton, was accused of two offences of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 18 while in a position of trust on October 5 and 7 last year.

But the criminal charges were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service in December.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said: "This case was a very difficult, demanding and sensitive investigation regarding the intimate relationship of a sexual nature between them.

"It was an excellent example of partnership between the police, CPS, education authority and social services but was difficult because we were very concerned for the girl's welfare at a time when her work and health were suffering."

Simon Jones, Blackburn with Darwen secretary for the National Union of Teachers said the school findings will go before the GTC.

"They will consider all the details that led to the dismissal," he said, "and then decide if it is appropriate for his teaching licence to be revoked, in other words, he could be struck off."

The decision is expected to take anything between a few weeks and a couple of months.

Mr Dawson declined to comment.