PORTSMOUTH — A teacher at Portsmouth Abbey School was banned from campus last week following allegations that he engaged in an “inappropriate relationship” with a former female student.

The Abbey is not releasing the former teacher’s name or details about the timeline of the relationship, the girl’s age at the time of the incident or whether the school has reported the matter to police. The teacher resigned his position shortly after the school suspended him pending an investigation.

On Tuesday John Perreira, the school’s assistant headmaster, released a statement from the Abbey:

“I can confirm that we have investigated a complaint about an inappropriate relationship between a member of the Portsmouth Abbey School faculty and a former female student. While under suspension for inappropriate emails to a student, the faculty member has resigned. The investigation is ongoing. The names are not being released at the request of the (girl’s) family.”

During a brief phone interview with The Portsmouth Times today, Mr. Perreira would not divulge any other information about the alleged relationship between the teacher and former student, including whether or not it constituted a criminal offense.

When asked if police have been notified, Mr. Perreira would only say, “We have followed all the protocols,” adding that the Abbey has consulted with an attorney to ensure it’s handled the situation properly.

On Tuesday, Portsmouth Police Chief Thomas F. Lee said he was aware that a letter had gone out to Abbey parents but did not know any other details regarding the incident.

He did say, however, that police would be looking further into the allegations.

“We’ll be following up,” he said.

Parents notified Monday

Abbey Headmaster Dan McDonough notified parents of the “very distressing news” by e-mail Monday morning.

Mr. McDonough said he received a call from the parents of an Abbey graduate at the end of last week. “They alleged that an inappropriate relationship occurred between (the teacher) and their daughter while she attended the Abbey,” he stated in the e-mail.

(The Portsmouth Times is not revealing the name of the teacher — only his last name is mentioned in the headmaster’s e-mail — because no criminal charges have been filed.)

Mr. McDonough’s e-mail continues: “An investigation was conducted, and (the teacher) was suspended from his position on Saturday while the investigation continued. A few hours after his suspension, he resigned his job here, and I have accepted his resignation. As part of the closure to this situation, (the teacher) can never again enter the Portsmouth Abbey campus, and he has been forbidden to have contact with any current Abbey students.

Mr. McDonough closed his letter by asking parents who have questions to reach out to the “infirmary staff” or the headmaster’s office.