ONE of Thurrock's leading educationalists in recent years, who recently retired and was honoured by the borough mayor, is back in the limelight charged with helping a local Trust through its difficulties.

Kevin Sadler, lately CEO of the Gateway Learning Community which ran Tilbury's Gateway Academy and a host of primary schools, has been appointed as consultant CEO at the Ortu Federation, which runs troubled Gable Hall school.

The trust recently suspended its long time CEO Dr Sophina Asong after Gable Hall was rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted, prompting a vociferous parents' protest about the school's management.

The chair of the Ortu Trust which runs Gable Hall, Hassenbrook Academy and Corringham Primary School, is Georgina Clark who says: "I am pleased to share that we have engaged the support of Kevin Sadler, a recently retired trust CEO, Headteacher, Ofsted Inspector and School Improvement Partner, who will work with the Trust to support us through the transition and will work directly with senior leaders to implement and monitor the effectiveness of each school's improvement plan.

"Mr Sadler has started work and will be working at the Trust for three days each week.

"We are fortunate to be working with Mr Sadler who brings with him an immense amount of knowledge, gathered in his 10 years of working in a large Trust in Tilbury, but also a dedicated educator who is passionate and demonstrates a strong track-record of rapidly improving schools.

Mr Sadler, who was recently honoured by borough mayor Cllr James Halden for his work in Thurrock, said: "I'm very excited to be working alongside a set of schools who have clear and passionate ambitions of raising the bar in terms of children's education and attainment.

"While we know there is much to do, and changes will continue to challenge us, I believe we have strong foundations across the Trust, which will ensure our children continue to be well cared for and well educated."