THE administration of two Thurrock schools whose future was in doubt looks set to be undertaken by the borough-based Gateway Learning Community.

Following a government decision to take running of Corringham's Gable Hall school away from the Ortu Federation, there was concern about how that Trust's surviving two schools - Hassenbrook Academy and Corringham Primary School - would be managed.

Ortu Federation, which will now be disbanded at the end of the current academic year, came under fire after continued failings at Gable Hall – and the performance of its high-profile and often confrontational CEO, Dr Sophina Asong.

She was eventually suspended by the Ortu Federation in September last year and her position with the group eventually ended when she resigned.

Corringham Primary School.

Now, after weeks of uncertainty, it has been announced that Ortu trustees have approved the closure of the Ortu Federation at the end of this academic year with a recommendation to the Department for Education (DfE) that the remaining schools be transferred to the Gateway Learning Community Trust (GLC) which is based in Tilbury at the Gateway learning Academy.  

A number of Trusts were initially in the running to take over, leading a process of due diligence during which trustees analysed the financial stability, track record of school improvement and strength of leadership including governance of each candidate trust.

Trustees visited schools within each trust: speaking to senior staff, teachers, governors and pupils before holding a day of final presentations and interviews.

Georgina Clark, the Chair of Ortu trustees said: "We believe that the process was rigorous and fair and as a result, we decided that the GLC, a Thurrock-based trust ,with expertise across both primary and secondary schools, is best placed to support Hassenbrook and Corringham in the next stages of their development.

"We are grateful to each of the trusts that bid for Hassenbrook and Corringham, but in the end all five trustees voted for the GLC citing its family ethos, track-record of school improvement and its ambition for every young person as key reasons for their decision.

"Above all, we saw the realisation of the GLC's mantra 'all different all equal together improving upon our best' everywhere we looked and with everyone we spoke to.

"We are totally confident that both Hassenbrook and Corringham will thrive within the GLC."

A statement from a Ortu added: "In the early days of the process, the DfE suggested four trusts to take over the schools but two fell away quickly citing the challenges as a reason for their withdrawal.

"Ultimately, there were three trusts that showed an interest: the Catalyst Trust (a successful trust of primary schools based in Thurrock), the Loxford Trust (an Ilford-based trust focussing mainly on secondary schools) and the GLC.

"The GLC is a trust based in Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary that is comprised of the Gateway Academy, Gateway Primary Free School, Herringham Primary Academy, Lansdowne Primary Academy and Tilbury Pioneer Academy.

"Each school within the GLC is rated as 'good' by Ofsted and are popular within their community: the Gateway Academy for example is heavily over-subscribed in all year groups. The GLC has a team of highly effective and committed leaders, teachers and support staff who have already, prior to the announcement by trustees, been supporting Hassenbrook and Corringham in the spirit of professional generosity.

"The GLC is now poised to collaborate more deeply to address those challenges faced by each school."

GLC chief executive officer Viki Reid said: "We are delighted to have been chosen by Ortu trustees to bring Hassenbrook and Corringham within the GLC family.

"This is an exciting time for our enlarged trust as we look to further develop our partnership with the Port of Tilbury and the wider Thames Free Port to bring education, training and employment opportunities to our young people.

"We will be working closely with our business colleagues to develop a distinct, high quality curriculum offer at Hassebrook which will provide exciting post 16 pathways which will include the new degree apprenticeships."

She added: "Whiled the GLC is brilliantly placed to provide the support needed by Hassenbrook and Corringham, it is clear that this is a two-way-street as both schools have much to offer existing GLC schools.

"I am confident that our shared values and ambitious vision will lead to excellent provision and outcomes for our whole community."

The decision by trustees at Ortu still has to be approved by the DfE. The final decision rests with the Regional Director who in-turn receives recommendations from the Headteachers' Advisory Board. Trustees have been told by the DfE that the final decision will be made on 23 March or soon thereafter.