A former teacher from Abingdon is being investigated by police after allegedly assaulting a deputy headteacher.

Despina Pavlou, was deputy at John Mason School in Abingdon until 1999 and become the first teacher in Oxfordshire to pass tough new Government headteacher qualifications before moving to a new post in Buckinghamshire.

Police are now investigating a claim she assaulted her deputy at the Lord Grey School in Bletchley on February 2.

A police spokesman said: "Police have received a complaint of an assault which allegedly happened at that school. At this time officers are continuing their inquiries. No arrests have been made."

A statement from the school stressed Ms Pavlou, who is now working from home, has not been suspended.

Ms Pavlou taught English and was deputy headteacher at John Mason School between 1994 and 1999. She became the first teacher in Oxfordshire to gain the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 1998.

The school runs the annual Despina Pavlou Award for English Public Speaking for its students.

In 2002 at Lord Grey School she expelled two students, excluded six others and punished 41 more for Halloween pranks and this year challenged a ruling in the House of Lords ordering the school to pay compensation to a pupil expelled for setting a rubbish bin on fire.

Ms Pavlou was unable for comment yesterday.