A SCHOOL community near Alresford has spoken following the disappearance of a teacher whilst diving off the Dorset coast.

Carvalho Ildelindo da Silveira, aged in his 60s is a maths teacher at Brockwood Park School at Bramdean, was at Lulworth Cove on Saturday, August 7.

Emergency services are continuing to search for a diver who went missing off the coast of Purbeck over the weekend. He was last seen in the water at around 4.15pm and was reported missing to the RNLI at around 8.15pm.

In a statement on Facebook the Friends of Brockwood Park said: "We are very upset to have to inform you that on Saturday, long-serving Brockwood staff member, Carvalho Ildelindo da Silveira, went missing during a scuba diving trip in Dorset. Extensive searches involving coastguard and RNLI are continuing, but so far without success.

"We are all hoping for the best outcome, but preparing ourselves for the worst. Carvalho is a much loved member of our Brockwood family and he is occupying all our thoughts at present. We would appreciate it if you do not contact Brockwood directly for now as we will update this page as soon as further news comes in."

Carvalho is five feet two inches tall, bald and with a large white moustache. He is a teacher at Brockwood Park School, the boarding school, run by the charity Krishnmurti Foundation Trust.

Chief Inspector Gavin House, of Dorset Police, said: “A multi-agency search operation has been underway since Saturday evening in an attempt to find Carvalho. Sadly, these have so far not been successful, but our searches remain ongoing and involve a range of agencies and specialist units.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have any knowledge as to Carvalho’s whereabouts to contact police immediately.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who was out on the water in the area who recalls seeing a diver matching the description given and may have information that could help us.

“Carvalho’s family have now been informed and are being supported by officers.”

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Carvalho’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 7:680.