A CRIMINAL investigation has been launched into sexual abuse claims at a Hampshire special school.

A team from the force’s public protection department have set up Operation Flamborough to probe allegations made by two former pupils from the Stranbridge Earls School.

Hampshire Police said last night officers would find out whether any “further criminal offences” have been committed against the known victims as well as other children attending the £32,000 a year fee paying school near Romsey.

They will then assess the findings of a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal which found the school, which specialises in teaching children with dyslexia, failed to protect a vulnerable girl from “appalling abuse”.

As previously reported, the tribunal found the teenager had faced abuse at the hands of another student in Romsey having been groomed with explicit texts.

The tribunal criticised the school for being “unsystematic, unprofessional, ad hoc and completely inadequate” when it came to protecting the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Head teacher Peter Trythall has been accused of “a failure of responsibility” while the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirmed that school nurse Melanie Bavington was under investigation.

In their findings, its panel members said the school had discriminated against the girl and that a number of staff members failed to tell the youngster’s parents that she had complained of pain “down below”.

The tribunal also ordered the school to pay more than £86,000 to the parents of a teenager in costs they built up during the proceedings.

The family’s solicitor, Melinda Nettleton, from legal firm SENlegal, called the case “deeply disturbing and troubling”, and called upon the Secretary of State for Education to suspend the school’s registration “until it is evident that pupils’ safety is secured”

A Hampshire Police spokesman said last night it was to progress a police investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a second girl between September and December 2010.

This is a joint investigation with Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services Department.

A spokesman said: “We are in contact with the families of the two girls who previously made allegations of abuse and are updating them with the progress of the review in respect of their individual allegations.

“Through the course of the review, the force is working with partners including Hampshire County Council and the Crown Prosecution Service.

“The review is ongoing and we will not be providing further details about any new allegations or further victims that may come to light as a result until we are in a clearer position to do so.”

The school, was last night unavailable for comment.

It has previously spoken of its “deep regret” about the abuse allegations and that it was determined to learn any broader lessons for safeguarding its pupils.

To do this it said it would be working with Ofsted, local authorities and the Department of Education.