A top preparatory school in Kent, which numbers the Countess of Wessex among its former pupils, has paid about pound;200,000 in compensation to eight former pupils who were sexually abused by a former headmaster. Dulwich College Preparatory School in Cranbrook agreed an out-of-court settlement under which it will pay the victims of retired headteacher Robin Peverett between pound;5,000 and pound;75,000 each. Two years ago, Peverett was given an 18-month suspended sentence at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to nine charges of indecent assault.