A disgraced teacher, formerly of Castle School in Thornbury, yesterday admitted sexual activity with a student while on school property.

Married father Simon Parsons, 52, admitted to three charges relating to his time at the Thornbury school as well as similar offences at his Dursley home and on a school trip over a two year period at a hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a girl amounting to an abuse of a position of trust, namely a teacher, between September 2006 and October 2007.

Dressed in a black t-shirt, black trousers, Parsons spoke only to enter his pleas.

He denied a similar charge when the girl was just 16.

At an earlier hearing Michael Collins, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was the victim's drama teacher at the time, teaching her from the age of 13.

"It was an abuse of trust on the part of the defendant.

"The relationship continued for a number of years. It is an extended breach of trust."

David Scutt, defending, said: "The basis of plea will refer to the fact that this sexual activity took place from the age of 17 onwards.

"It will be refuted that there was any grooming.

"This is a case where it is going to be important to understand and see what the complainant says in interview, and the defendant also."

His case was adjourned for sentencing on Monday, January 5 2015.

Castle School head teacher Peter Smart said: “We can confirm that a teacher at The Castle School in Thornbury was suspended in April following notification of a police investigation.

“The staff member has since resigned. The court case remains sub judice and we are not in a position to comment further at this time.”