Teacher charged with raping a student

The man was remanded on bail and is due to reappear in court next month. Photo / Supplied

A teacher at a North Island school has been charged with raping a student.

The man made a brief appearance in a district court yesterday charged with raping a 15-year-old female between May 1 and June 30 this year.

The man -- who cannot be named for legal reasons -- is understood to have been suspended from teaching, but Education Council records show he still has a provisional teaching certification.

The school's principal couldn't be reached for comment but when contacted, the chairman of the school board declined to comment and referred the Herald to the police.

Police said they couldn't comment any further as the matter was before the courts.

Katrina Casey, Ministry of Education's head of sector enablement and support, confirmed the ministry was aware of the case and was currently supporting the school.

"We understand that the teacher has been suspended. We cannot comment further while the case is before the courts."

The man was remanded on bail and is due to reappear in court next month.

An Education Council spokesperson said if the teacher had name suppression or was subject to automatic suppression orders they can't change their register as it would break that order.

The council would begin its own investigation once the criminal process was complete, she said.

In the meantime, they can seek a voluntary undertaking from the person not to teach in the meantime.