A headteacher said the school cannot "legislate for determined and misguided individuals" after a teacher was jailed for having an affair with a pupil.

Games teacher Emily Fox, 26, was jailed after being caught having an affair with a pupil at The Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth.

Headteacher Diana Rose told the Watford Observer that she was "deeply shocked" when she first heard about the allegations and said there are procedures in place to stop these types of incidents from happening. 

She said: "I can give the assurances that all the appropriate procedures are in place.

"Safe-guarding is a very high priority that has been reflected by all our inspections, including our inspection in 2014.

"This was an individual and not an institutional failing and this has been attested by all the external agencies involved; sadly, despite all the procedures, one cannot legislate for determined and misguided individuals. 

"I have been overwhelmed by the support and confidence of parents and the wider community and this is much appreciated."

St Albans Crown Court heard that in 2012, Fox had been spoken to by her headteacher about inappropriate friendships with some of the pupils.  She was allegedly shown the staff code of conduct and underwent training to help her form appropriate relationships with her pupils.

But Mrs Rose denied this, saying that it was a "misinterpretation" of a meeting that took place.  

She added: "It was not a disciplinary meeting and the contents of that meeting are confidential.

"But the meeting was nothing to do with an inappropriate relationship with a pupil.

"I emailed the police officer and said how appalled I was to read that. It is entirely untrue."

The court was told that Ms Fox kissed and fondled a student and exchanged lurid emails, texts and WhatsApp messages with her.

The schoolgirl’s father discovered the affair after seeing an email which was printed out detailing what had taken place between the two.

The court then heard how he alerted his wife, who contacted the school at which time police were called.

In a statement, the school said: "When the school became aware of the allegations, it immediately informed the police and suspended Ms Fox in accordance with its policies.

"Following Ms Fox’s suspension, she did not re-enter the school premesis and after an internal investigation into the allegations, was dismissed for gross misconduct."

Fox, of Alfred Street, Bath, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.

Judge Gullick jailed her for 15 months and her name will remain on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

She was also made the subject of a Sexual Offence Prevention Order to run for 10 years.