A TEACHER who looked at pornography at home on a school computer has been allowed to work in a school again.

Peter Jeffery, who taught science at the Gilberd School, in Brinkley Lane, Colchester, was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

The General Teaching Council said he had not been struck off because he had admitted his mistake, resigned to protect the school and had a previous good record.

A hearing was told the incident happened one night when Mr Jeffery was particularly stressed while working exceptionally long hours.

The laptop was scanned on November 27, 2009, and it was discovered it had been used to access a porn website for 12 minutes.

The school’s policy made it clear staff should not use school equipment to access inappropriate material.

Mr Jeffery was suspended and resigned a day before a meeting about the incident.

Philip Cole, chairman of the council’s professional conduct committee, said: “We are satisfied Mr Jeffery’s conduct fell short of the standard expected and was a breach of the standards expected.

“We have taken into account the fact Mr Jeffery accessed the adult material in his own home, albeit using the school laptop, and no pupil was affected.

“This has to be viewed in the context of his successful teaching career over many years. He added Mr Jeffery had demonstrated exceptional insight into his failings.

He added: “He admitted the matter immediately and resigned in order to protect the interests of the school.”

The committee’s findings yesterday added that Mr Jeffery had been punished enough by the finding and no further action was needed.

Gilberd headteacher Linda Exley said: “Peter was a head of year. He has since found employment at another school, but not in Colchester.’’