Former Abbeyfield School head teacher James Fox has taken leave from his new role as principal of an academy in Brighton pending the outcome of an investigation.

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy, a co-educational academy in Portslade, Brighton, released a statement on its website saying that Mr Fox was taking a leave of absence “pending the outcome of an investigation into the registration status of a small number of students at PACA.”

The statement said: “This action does not prejudice the outcome of the investigation and is a neutral act.

“As the investigation is ongoing we cannot prejudice the outcome by saying more about it at this stage.

“We want to conclude the investigation as soon as possible and while we are not able to give exact timings as to the likely conclusion date at this stage, we will do so as soon as this is possible.

“Students’ education is the prime concern of the governors and staff at PACA. All steps are being put in place to ensure that students’ learning is unaffected by this.

Mr Fox’s employment at Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, was terminated by mutual consent from August 2012 but no explanation was given for his departure.

Mr Fox started as interim principal at PACA in January 2013 and immediately caused a stir with a discipline blitz which saw a dozen pupils suspended in less than a week.

He was given the job on a permanent basis in April 2013.

Since Mr Fox’s leave of absence began, the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy has written to parents stating the intention to bring the investigation to a close at the beginning of November.