THE new headteacher at Gable Hall School has been announced after a month of controversy following the departure of his predecessor.

One of the Corringham secondary school's vice-principals, Gary Lewis, is stepping up to take on the role at Gable Hall as its operating trust begins to plot the way back from an 'inadequate' Ofsted ruling.

The verdict on the school's performance was delivered last month and in the wake of publication of the report, the school's incumbent headteacher, Ceris Evans resigned. That sparked a wave of protest from parents and pupils, who launched a campaign for his reinstatement. It included an online petition which has almost 2,000 signatures and protests by parents outside the school.

At a meeting of the Ortu Trust yesterday (Monday, 15 August) its leaders agreed the next steps in response to the Ofsted report and the appointment of Mr Lewis in an interim capacity was rubber-stamped. A series of meetings to be held with parents was also announced.

In a statement the Trust says: "The Trust recognises and apologises for the delay in communicating with parents, and the wider community, during the action planning period. Legally, and through the sheer volume of work necessary to produce the improvement plan in a meaningful way, it has only now been possible share those details. 

"We can confirm that the Rapid Improvement Plan was successfully submitted to the Regional Schools Director on Friday, 12 August. The Regional Schools Director oversees schools in this area from the Department of Education and we await their response. 

"Our plan for improvement is very clear and aligned to our recent Ofsted Inspection and focuses on:

• ·        The need to achieve best practice in Safeguarding
• ·        The need to improve the ambition of our Curriculum 
• ·        Our duty to communicate better with parents and community

"As always, our priority is our children and therefore it's important that their education and time with the trust is stable and consistent, and so we are pleased to announce that Gary Lewis has agreed to step up and lead the school throughout this period of rapid improvement. 

"Mr Lewis, brings with him more than 20 years teaching experience within the Trust. We hope you all join us in supporting him in the next phase of the school's journey. 

"In terms of improving communication, we have set out five, two-hour sessions across the next two weeks and will be inviting all parents and carers to meet with members of the local governing body, the Ortu Trust and staff to discuss the next steps in our improvement journey." 

Georgina Clark.

Georgina Clark, a former chair of governors, has taken over as acting chair of Ortu Trust following the illness of Steve Nash Chair of the Trust.

Mrs Clark, who was featured in the Thurrock Nub News series of 'Up Close' interviews last year said: "We would all like to take this opportunity of wishing Mr Nash a speedy recovery.

"While he is away, I, along with the full school community have a big job to do, but I'm confident that this plan, together with the support and energy of the trust board and local governing body, will ensure this school regains your confidence and is a school we are all proud of.   I and the Trust Board Members are committed to ensuring we keep the momentum of improvement going forward and we look forward to meeting with parents and carers in the very near future to tell them at first hand of the work being undertaken.

"I would like to personally reassure everybody that come the first day of term, our doors will be open, our teachers be will here and we are all looking forward to welcoming back our children to the 2022 academic year."