A DEPUTY headmaster at the Royal Grammar School has been suspended after he was charged with indecently assaulting three boys during a spell at a London public school in the late 1990s.

Nicholas Cousins, 51, was charged on Thursday, April 28, with four counts of indecent assault against three boys in their early teens while he was Head of PE at Dulwich College in South London.

One boy is alleged to have been assaulted twice.

Tim Dingle, headmaster at the Royal Grammar School in Amersham Road, High Wycombe, said: "I can confirm that Mr Nick Cousins, a member of teaching staff, has been charged with indecent assault.

"He is currently suspended from work, pending court proceedings."

Mr Cousins will appear at Tower Bridge magistrates court in London on Tuesday, May 12.

Mr Dingle added: "These charges relate entirely to allegations concerning his work at another teaching establishment in the 1990s.

"We are unable to comment further at this stage for legal reasons."

The Metropolitan police believe the alleged offences occurred in the late 1990s.

Metropolitan officers from the Child Protection Unit, based at Camberwell, are currently investigating.

Mr Cousins, educated at Loughborough University, joined the Royal Grammar School in 2000 from Dulwich College to become a deputy head.

Founded in 1562 by way of Royal Charter, the Royal Grammar School is one of the leading boys only grammar schools in the country, with most pupils averaging at least A gra- des at both GCSE and A Level.

In 2000 the Royal Grammar School, which also offers boarding facilities, received a glowing Ofsted report, with inspectors calling it an "outstandingly successful school".

Sue Imbriano, strategic director for schools at Buckinghamshire County Council, said the police investigation would receive their full cooperation.

She said: "The council takes all allegations very seriously and our child protection officers work closely with schools and police in their investigations.

"We are unable to comment further for legal reasons."