A teacher at a Croydon school has been suspended for more than two months after allegations of assault against a pupil.

Woodside Infant and Nursery School's headteacher, Kate Magliocco, wrote to parents in November saying the teacher, who has not been named, would remain suspended while a full investigation was carried out.

In an effort to allay fears Mrs Magliocco said the school in Morland Road, Croydon, was not treating the incident as a disciplinary matter and the teacher had been suspended in line with the local education authority's (LEA) policy.

She said the member of staff would return to work as soon as the matter had been resolved and invited parents to arrange an appointment to meet her and discuss any concerns.

Mrs Magliocco added the school was seeking to support the teacher during the investigation.

It is understood Croydon police are currently investigating the allegations and have spoken to the pupil, believed to be five years old.

The LEA's inquiries can only be completed once the police have finished their investigation and decided whether any charges should be brought.

One parent, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the Croydon Guardian to say he was concerned about the length of time the investigation had taken.

A council spokesman said: "We understand that in accordance with routine procedures a member of staff at Woodside Infants has been suspended pending the conclusion of an investigation into an allegation that has been made against the teacher.

"In such circumstances it would not be appropriate for us to make any further comment at this stage."

The Croydon Guardian contacted the chairman of Woodside's Parents and Teachers Association who declined to comment saying the suspension was a staffing matter.