Pupil suspended as sexual misconduct claims are probed by police at £22,000-a-year Fine Arts College

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Pupil is suspended as sexual misconduct claims are probed by police at £22,000-a-year public school to the stars

  • Pupils made a number of allegations to staff at Fine Arts College in Hampstead
  • It is understood that a male pupil has been suspended pending an investigation
  • Parents of school’s 200 pupils, aged between 13 and 19, have been informed 

A top private school whose A-list alumni include Orlando Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter and Brooklyn Beckham has called in police to investigate a claim of sexual misconduct against a male pupil.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that female pupils made a number of allegations to staff at the £22,000-a-year Fine Arts College in Hampstead, North London, earlier this month.

It is understood that a male pupil has been suspended pending an investigation by the police and school authorities, which the school yesterday confirmed was ongoing.

Parents of the school’s 200 pupils, who are aged between 13 and 19, have been informed and a number of female pupils are understood to have been spoken to by officers.

The allegations come as investigations continue at three other London fee-paying schools – Latymer Upper, Highgate and Dulwich College – after claims of rape and sexual assault.

A top private school whose A-list alumni include Orlando Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter and Brooklyn Beckham has called in police to investigate a claim of sexual misconduct against a male pupil

A top private school whose A-list alumni include Orlando Bloom, Helena Bonham Carter and Brooklyn Beckham has called in police to investigate a claim of sexual misconduct against a male pupil

One source connected to the Fine Arts College said: ‘It’s been quite a shock for the students and is very much the talk of the school, but everyone, including the parents, has been impressed with how swiftly the staff have acted. 

‘There has been full transparency and the priority is to keep these youngsters safe from any harm.’

The Fine Arts College boasts a long list of showbusiness celebrities among its former pupils, most recently Brooklyn Beckham, 21, eldest child of David and Victoria, who studied photography there. 

His peers include Rafferty Law, the son of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost, and Anais Gallagher, daughter of Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher and ex-wife Meg Mathews.

The allegations come as investigations continue at three other London fee-paying schools ¿ Latymer Upper, Highgate and Dulwich College (pictured) ¿ after claims of rape and sexual assault

The allegations come as investigations continue at three other London fee-paying schools – Latymer Upper, Highgate and Dulwich College (pictured) – after claims of rape and sexual assault

Hollywood star Bloom attended the college in 1993 to study A-levels in drama, photography and sculpture. 

Keith Allen’s actor son Alfie Allen was also a pupil as were supermarket heir Alex Sainsbury and the rock star Johnny Borrell of Razorlight.

Specialising in creative subjects such as arts and the media, the school was founded in 1978 by artists Nicholas Cochrane and Candida Cave, who is now Principal.

It offers more than 25 A-level subjects in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and 15 subjects at GCSE. Its website describes the ethos as ‘encouraging self-discipline and self-motivation’.

Last night, a spokesman for Fine Arts College said: ‘We understand the police are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct off school premises made against a student. 

‘The College takes reports of unacceptable behaviour extremely seriously and we have been guided by our safeguarding policy relating to such allegations, involving external agencies as appropriate.’

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