A notorious paedophile who taught at the school at the centre of a Victorian government inquiry into historical sexual abuse in state schools has died.

Darrell Ray, who changed his name to Ray Cosgriff, was due to appear in court again in February, facing 26 counts of indecent assault.

Police confirmed on Thursday the 82-year-old had passed away.

Ray, who had been living in Queensland, worked at a number of Melbourne schools, including Beaumaris Primary School in the early 1970s.

Law firm Arnold Thomas and Becker is acting for six men seeking compensation from the State of Victoria for abuse committed by Ray across multiple state schools for more than a decade.

Lawyer Cameron Doig said Ray’s flagrant and shocking offending often occurred in full view of others, it was the subject of discussion by other staff members and a number of failed investigations by school management and the department.

“His serial sexual abuse of children rates among the worst child protection failings in the Department of Education’s history,” Doig said.

“Ray’s death will not stop our clients’ pursuit of justice after lives of hardship and trauma. They remain committed to seeing their claims through to a just outcome and ensuring the department is held to account for enabling Ray’s predatory behaviour.”