A FORMER headmaster at Highgate junior school faces prison for downloading hundreds of pornographic images of children.

Hugh Simon Evers, known as Simon, was arrested after police found almost 400 images and videos showing youngsters as young as three on his computer.

At the time of his arrest, the 62-year-old was living in Eastbourne, Sussex, and volunteering at the local Citizens Advice Bureau.

But eight years earlier, he had been the respected member of staff at the private school.

Evers was the headteacher of the junior school, which teaches children aged seven to 11, from 1992 until 2002.

The shamed former teacher downloaded scores of pictures and video clips between January 2007 and April last year.

Most of the images were level one – which is the lowest end of the scale – but a number of the images were classed as level four, just one short of the most serious classification.

Evers – who was also a a voluntary member of the BBC’s Audience Council, which monitors broadcasting standards, was arrested by Sussex Police last November.

He appeared at Chichester Magistrates’ Court on December 13, where he pleaded guilty to six counts of making and possessing indecent images of children.

Magistrate Mary Monnington said, “Because of the seriousness of the material found on your computer and the age of the children involved we are sending this to the crown court for sentencing.”

Evers has been released on bail until he is sentenced on Monday .

An ex-teacher of Highgate Junior School, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Ham&High: “Simon Evers was head of Highgate Junior School when I taught there.

“He was considered a good master who was very predisposed to promoting child self-esteem and welfare, which makes his appalling behaviour all the more difficult to comprehend.

“All my fellow colleagues to whom I have spoken have expressed their shock, disgust and a feeling of being let down.”

Current headmaster of Highgate School (senior) Adam Pettitt said: “Mr (Hugh) Simon Evers was, until his retirement eight years ago in 2002, master of the Junior School.

“I understand that Mr Evers was charged with downloading indecent images of children and will be sentenced later this month at Chichester Crown Court.

“The offences took place between January 2007 and April 2010. The authorities did not make contact with the school as part of their investigation.

“Mr Evers’ offences occurred during his retirement and five years after his departure from Highgate School. The school has given and continues to give the highest priority to its safe recruitment procedures which are at the heart of its child safeguarding responsibilities.”