A SCHOOL boss has left a trust which is set to dissolve at the end of the year with its three schools being transferred into new academy trusts.

Dr Sophina Asong has left the Ortu Federation Trust ahead of its dissolvement at the end of the academic year.

The former trust CEO was suspended, and an investigation was launched into her leadership in September of last year just months after the Ortu Gabel Hall School – which has since been transferred to the 53-school London-based Harris Federation – was rated “inadequate” by Ofsted.

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She has since left the trust, with bosses remaining tight-lipped over the nature of her departure stating it was "confidential".

And after weeks of uncertainty, Ortu trustee have announce that the trust’s remaining two schools, Hassenbrook Academy and Corringham Primary School, are to be transferred to the Gateway Learning Community Trust (GLC) pending approval from the Department for Education.

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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.

“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.”

GLC is based in Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary and is comprised of five schools: The Gateway Academy; Gateway Primary Free School; Herringham Primary Academy; Lansdowne Primary Academy; and Tilbury Pioneer Academy.

All of the trust’s schools are rated “good” by Ofsted.

Viki Reid, the GLC’s chief executive officer, said: “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.

“Whilst 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."