A schoolgirl could be prosecuted for falsely claiming a teacher kissed her.

Sussex Police are investigating whether the Year 9 pupil should be taken to court for lying to officers.

The girl, who is aged 13 or 14, is a pupil at The Angmering School and allegedly told people that a male teacher kissed her in the school grounds. The teacher was suspended for nearly two months while an investigation by education officials and police was carried out.

But he returned to work at the school in Station Road, Angmering, near Littlehampton, yesterday after being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Headteacher David Brixey said: “He is fine and pleased to be back.”

The West Sussex County Council-run secondary school, which has 1,400 pupils, is understood to have informed pupils that the teacher involved would be returning before he went back into lessons.

Mr Brixey said the school was now considering taking action against the teenager.

He said: “Myself and the governors are considering her position in the school.”

Yesterday a Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “Officers investigating a report of inappropriate behaviour by a teacher against a pupil have concluded that the allegation is unfounded.

“The female pupil has now withdrawn the allegation and police are considering whether any offences of malicious communication have been committed.

“The male teacher was suspended by the school following the allegation. The suspension has been lifted and he has returned to work.”

The parent of one girl at the school said pupils had been informed of the teacher’s return. She said: “They know the teacher is coming back. It’s good. Since he has done nothing wrong he should not be punished.”

A National Union of Teachers spokeswoman said: “New guidance from the Department for Education ensures anonymity for teachers facing allegations and states that all false allegations are removed from a teacher’s records.

“This will help ensure that innocent teachers are not hindered from developing in their careers by allegations which have been shown erroneous or even malicious.”