A headteacher sacked for watching pornography and performing sex acts in his office has been permanently struck off the teaching register.

Jamie Henderson, who ran Canonbury Primary School, in Canonbury Road, Canonbury, from 2005 to 2008, was told by the General Teaching Council (GTC) last week that he would be banned from teaching indefinitely.

Mr Henderson, also known as Jay, was found guilty of downloading and viewing pornographic material on a school laptop and committing a sexual act in his office at the school, when he could be observed from the premises opposite his window on two occasions.

He was also reprimanded for not following procedures when hiring another teacher, Robert Stringer, despite knowing about allegations made against him by a previous employer.

Mr Stringer, who was sacked from the school in 2009, died on the eve of his trial for unrelated allegations of child sex offences which Mr Henderson was not aware of.

A statement from the GTC said: “Mr Henderson’s behaviour fell well below the standards expected of a member of the profession, particularly those expected of a headteacher.”

Mr Henderson has 28 days to appeal the decision and can re-apply for registration after two years.

Councillor Richard Watts, Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “We welcome the GTC’s decision to strike him off the teaching register. We agree with the GTC’s ruling that his conduct had the potential of seriously affecting pupils.

“We expect the highest standards of behaviour from school staff who are role models for young people.”

Canonbury School recently completed an impressive turn around in fortunes – after being placed in special measures in March 2010, Ofsted awarded it good status in June this year.