PUPILS at a Suffolk public school are today hearing a talented PE teacher was found hanged, just hours after he was sacked following an internal disciplinary hearing.

PUPILS at a Suffolk public school are today hearing a talented PE teacher was found hanged, just hours after he was sacked following an internal disciplinary hearing.

Staff and pupils at Framlingham College are in shock following the death of Richard Baines, a 28-year-old PE teacher at the school.

He had been the subject of a police inquiry, although Suffolk Police said they had decided to take no further action.

They would not give details of the nature of the inquiry today, and said that information would be forwarded to an inquest.

Mr Baines was found in a room at the school on Monday afternoon – the same day he was dismissed – after police were called by ambulance workers. He was taken to Ipswich Hospital, but died the following day.

An inquest into the death of Mr Baines, who was single and lived at Framlingham College, has been opened and adjourned.

A post-mortem examination revealed he had died by hanging and the cause of death was given as cerebral hypoxia due to compression of the neck structures.

Framlingham College headteacher Gwen Randall said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by Richard's death. He was a talented sportsman who joined the school two years ago.

"At the time of his death, he faced disciplinary action which was carried out in accordance with our employment procedures. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Youngsters at the top fee-paying school have already broken up for the Easter holiday, but a letter has been sent to parents informing them there had been a disciplinary meeting, following which Mr Baines was dismissed.

Mr Baines was originally from Hitchin in Hertfordshire and had been at Framlingham College for two years. As well as being a PE teacher, he was a tutor at Stradbroke House.

A police spokeswoman said: "We attended Framlingham College on Monday afternoon at the request of the ambulance service to gain entry to a room. Once that was obtained, a man was taken to hospital.

"He had been subject of a police inquiry. However, it had been decided no further action would be taken and he knew that."

An inquest into the cause of the death of Mr Baines was adjourned to May 2.

FRAMLINGHAM COLLEGE FACTFILE

n Fee-paying Framlingham College was founded in 1865 under Royal Charter as a memorial to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, whose statue has pride of place in front of its main building.

n The senior part of the school enjoys enviable views of the town mere and its 11th Century castle, and its impressive main building stands on the outskirts of the town.

n It has its own junior school at nearby Brandeston Hall and enjoys a reputation for academic excellence.

n It is now co-educational. Fees at the senior school are £9,755 for day pupils, and £15,175 for boarders.