'No terrorism activity' at school

Mr Nipon teaches science and maths at the school

A teacher at the East Sussex school being searched in connection with an anti-terrorism inquiry has denied all knowledge of any illegal activity.

Habib Nipon said he did not believe terrorists would go to the Jameah Islameah Islamic school at Marks Cross.

"The first time (was when) I saw their face in the newspaper. It is actually a nightmare because the school's future is our future," he told BBC News.

Police said searches at the school near Crowborough could take weeks.

No arrests

In an exclusive interview with BBC South East Today, Mr Nipon, a science and maths teacher, said he was woken up by the police search.

"They told me we had to go to a big hold room. Suddenly the police inspection is going on and we were surrounded by the police.

"We went down to a room and we were held there. We were accompanied to the toilet, (for) washing and having some food."

He said he did not know if any members of staff knew anything about allegations that terrorists had visiting the school.

"Personally I did not see anything. The police said there were some terrorists and Islamic militants and they also mentioned some names which I'd never heard before."

Mr Nipon said 11 students were registered at the independent school.

Sussex Police said no arrests had been made there.