Sean Aldridge, 37, a former teacher at Warblington School in Havant, Hampshire, was found guilty of 24 counts of sexual activity with a child.

Jurors heard some of the offences took place while he was on paternity leave.

The court heard he had previously been investigated by the school but was subsequently promoted to assistant head teacher and head of safeguarding.

Aldridge, who taught PE, was also convicted of one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

At his sentencing, one of his victims read out a statement saying Aldridge initially made her feel special but she was left feeling “dirty, used, stupid and embarrassed” after he took her virginity.

Passing sentence, Judge Roger Etherington said of Aldridge: “The abuse of trust was truly appalling. You were perceived as a good or outstanding teacher with a special rapport with pupils.”

During the three-week trial, Portsmouth Crown Court heard that Aldridge, from Southsea, targeted four girls aged 13 to 16 between 2006 and 2012 on school premises and in his car.