A FORMER Ipswich teacher is among five men charged with ill-treating children at a Norfolk school.Five ex-teachers, who formerly worked at Banham Marshalls College, a special school near Diss, have been charged with child cruelty offences just months after county council chiefs decided to stop sending youngsters there.

A FORMER Ipswich teacher is among five men charged with ill-treating children at a Norfolk school.

Five ex-teachers, who formerly worked at Banham Marshalls College, a special school near Diss, have been charged with child cruelty offences just months after county council chiefs decided to stop sending youngsters there.

The school was closed last summer following a joint investigation by police and social services.

The offences they have been charged with relate to cruelty and other offences against children stretching from 1976 to 2002.

Robert Wilson, a 53-year-old former schoolmaster from Ipswich, has been charged with nine offences of conspiring to ill treat children, cruelty to children and indecent assault.

George Robson, a 62-year-old former schoolmaster from Bridgham and owner of the school, has been charged with 23 offences including conspiring to ill treat children, cruelty to children and indecent assault.

Derek Holesworth, a 47-year-old former schoolmaster from Banham, has been charged with five offences including conspiring to ill treat children and cruelty to children.

David Clarke, a 52-year-old former care assistant from Banham, has been charged with eight offences of cruelty to children.

Anthony Robson, a 59-year-old former schoolmaster from Banham, has been charged with 12 offences of conspiring to ill treat children and cruelty to children.

David Clarke has been bailed to appear at Thetford Magistrates Court at 1.30pm on Monday January 26. George Robson, Derek Holesworth, Anthony Robson and Robert Wilson have all been bailed to appear at Thetford Magistrates Court at 1.30pm on Thursday January 22.

Banham Marshalls College is an independent school that caters for children with special needs, including dyslexia and emotional and behavioural difficulties.

It takes up to 120 pupils aged seven to 16 years, from local education authorities and social services departments around the country, who attend on a day or boarding basis. Since October, about 33 pupils have been at the school.