A MATHS teacher at an independent girls school was sacked for having an affair with a teenager.

At 35, Andrew Bolton was nearly twice the age of the girl he was seeing.

But he said at an employment tribunal he only began a relationship with the 18-year-old after she left school.

Mr Bolton, the former head of maths, is claiming unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination against Newcastle Church High School.

Mr Bolton, of South Gosforth, Newcastle, said the girl left in July last year after she finished her A-levels. He said their affair began the following month.

But headteacher Lesley Smith said she believed the affair started earlier.

She told the Newcastle hearing she believed the relationship developed from October 2001.

She said: "I believe that an inappropriate relationship had started. There was an instance where the girl was seen to be alone with him in a classroom.

"The fact that they were spending time alone together was, in itself, inappropriate."

Mr Bolton started at the school in September 2000 and was dismissed in December last year following an investigation.

Mr Bolton said there was no evidence to show the relationship had started earlier than August last year.

And in a statement to the tribunal, Mr Bolton said he was treated differently to female members of staff.

He said he was asked not to be alone with pupils and should see students about their work at lunchtime support sessions in rooms where others could be present.

He said: "I do not believe that I have committed any disciplinary offence whatsoever by having commenced a relationship with a former pupil of the school."

The tribunal was adjourned.