The charge under section 52A of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 concerns the possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child.

Wilson made no plea and the case was continued for further examination and the accused was granted bail.

The Tele understands the court appearance came after Wilson, who has been suspended from his post, was arrested at his home by Strathclyde Police.

Fife Council said today that deputy headteacher Ian Thomson has been appointed acting headteacher at Auchmuty High.

He is understood to have addressed staff at an in-service day this morning and is expected to speak to the 1200 pupils when they return for the start of the new term tomorrow.

Mr Wilson, who is thought to have made the 150-mile round trip from Paisley daily, was appointed headteacher of Auchmuty, one of three high schools in Glenrothes, almost three years ago.

He leads a teaching and support staff of around 140.

The school was inspected in early 2007 as part of a national sample of secondary education and inspectors praised Mr Wilson’s leadership for “setting the direction for school improvement”.

As well as identifying key strengths, they raised a number of points which required attention and in a follow-up report a year later found a promising start had been made to addressing them.

It was recognised that most of the developments had not had time to demonstrate significant positive impact, but the inspectors noted that much still remained to be done to improve attainment and aspects of learning and teaching and provide more consistent management of behaviour.