Timothy Royle is accused of falsely reporting how bursary funds were spent over three years up until he retired in 2012, keeping the cash and taking home cameras, a MacBook Pro laptop, an iMac computer and a set of speakers and headphones.

The 64-year-old joined Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre in Surley Row, Emmer Green, in 1998 and is accused of pocketing £2,000 in 2008, £2,246 the following year and £2,550 in 2010.

John Law, prosecuting, told the jury at Reading Crown Court: “This defendant is accused of offences of fraud and of theft.

“He was the headteacher of a school and we say he abused the status he had and the school had, by keeping public monies for his own benefit.

“He also took when retiring from the school items with him that he was not entitled to.”

The court heard alarm bells were sounded by the school business manager after Royle retired and an investigation was launched.

The school was entitled to bursary grants between 2008 and 2010, which helped cover the costs of sending staff to other schools and to training days, the court heard.

Mr Law said: “The payments were applied for and made directly into a business account in Mr Royle’s name. After that, he had to file a report at the end of the year to say where the money had been spent.

“If any funds are left over at the end of the year, they are repaid to the National College or knocked off the following year.

“What we say Mr Royle did was to falsely report - lie - that the money was spent on attending conferences when he knew the school paid for attendance of conferences, both directly and by paying him back for invoices he sent to the school.

“The real question is whether Mr Royle was acting dishonestly.”

Neil Dimbleby, who was deputy headteacher at the school at the time, was asked if he knew Royle had taken the two computers when he left.

He said: “I didn’t see him take them but I was aware of that, yes.”

Nicholas Syfret QC, defending, asked Mr Dimbleby about the school’s reputation and he agreed that Royle had been instrumental in turning around the school.

Royle denies three counts of fraud and five counts of theft. The trial continues.