Police have confirmed they are investigating reports of an assault at a Tunbridge Wells school, after an incident that could lead to a teacher strike.

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) may take a ballot on industrial action at St Gregory’s Catholic School following concerns that the student involved has not been expelled following the alleged assault, which took place on December 16.

The age of the student and full details of the circumstances surrounding the assault have not been made public.

But today the NUT is set to meet with the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership (KCSP) to discuss what action is taken.

A union spokesman said: "Members don't feel safe teaching the child any longer. There has been a history of incidents including previous allegations of assault. It is very rare for action like this to be taken and we understand it is a complex situation but the safety and welfare of staff and other students should come first."

If the union remains unsatisfied, teachers would ballot to refuse to teach the student, and that could be followed by a ballot to strike.

A spokesman at the Reynolds Lane school said: “An incident was reported on December 16 when some students were in high spirits looking forward to the Christmas holiday.

“This has since been investigated and the school’s behaviour policy and exclusion procedures have been followed.

"We are mindful of our responsibility to continue to provide education for the student involved and we are considering a variety of options available that best supports the student and our staff.”

St Gregory's converted to an academy in 2014 and has 1,119 students, aged 11 to 18, on its roll.

It received an Outstanding rating during its last Ofsted inspection, before the conversion took place.