PARENTS of children at three East Thurrock schools, Gable Hall secondary in Corringham, Hassenbrook Academy in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Primary School, have been briefed on the plans and ambitions of the education trust that is set to take over their administration.

As revealed on Thurrock Nub News last week, the schools that are currently run by the Ortu Federation, are to be taken over by the East London-based Mossbourne Federation, which currently runs four schools.

Announcing that news Georgina Clark, chair of Ortu Trustees, said: "Subject to a final agreement which we expect to sign in March of next year, the Mossbourne Federation, will now work with colleagues in our three schools to create a Mossbourne hub in Thurrock, bringing the expertise and high expectations that have transformed schools in Hackney."

The Mossbourne Federation's chief executive, Peter Hughes, invited parents from the three borough schools to attend a presentation at Hassenbrook on Tuesday (17 October).

He explained the history of Mossbourne Federation, which grew out of accepting the challenge to take on a former Hackney grammar school that had become known as Britian's worst secondary.

He said: "Roots of the academy were in Hackey and a school deemed to be the worst in Britain. My predecessors within Mossbourne took on the opportunity and laid down some principles that have led to our success.

"Firstly it was acknowledged that failure was not the children's fault. Children are capable of anything. So it was us.

"Good teaching is what it is all about. Our job is to make sure children get good teaching. 

"That is what we will bring to these three new schools. And we will acknowledge achievements and opportunities that they offer.

"For example, at Hassenbrook we will embrace the fact it is a small school. That is a strength and we want it to be amazing.

"Gable Hall is a big school that has been a great school in the past. We want to reset the school and go back to that.

"You will see there will be some quick wins. We expect to be good schools within two years but the overall journey to get to the other end will be five years.

"But I am conscious that along that journey we have to put a lot of work into our year groups.

"We will be moving heaven and earth for your children."

Mr Hughes acknowledged there were some concerns that parents would have and he said the new trust, which is already working closely with Ortu prior to taking over, would be addressing them and there would be strong communication with parents along the way.

One concern already in the public arena is the adoption of a new school uniform for all three schools.

That is expected to happen at the start of the next academic year, in September 2024, but Mr Hughes said there would be consultation with parents about the changes and that the trust recognised that there might be financial pressure on some families because of the change. "We will be able to help with that," he pledged.

Asked if it was definite that Mossbourne would be taking over, given the previous withdrawal of the Harris Academy Trust who had been selected by the Department for Education (DfE) to take over, but who pulled out when they examined the finances of the local schools, Mr Hughes assured parents that Mossbourne - which had been put forward by the DfE - that he was 'certain' it will happen, though he acknowledged the possibility that change was always possible.

"I will always tell you the truth," he said, "And who knows? We may find a buried body out there, but I don't think that will happen. We have done our due diligence. As a trust we have been looking for some time at expansion.

"We have looked at other potential schools but the mix was not right. Looking at the three schools here, it is right.

"We are relishing the challenge and I am as certain as I can be that it will happen and myself and my team are looking forward to it."