GOVERNMENT education chiefs will be visiting the Basildon Academies next week to investigate what is going on at the secondary school.

Basildon MP Stephen Metcalfe has raised serious concerns and called for the leadership team of the school to be investigated after Dr Rory Fox, the former headteacher, left under a cloud earlier this month.

Mr Metcalfe got in touch with Lord Hill, the minister in charge of academies, to launch an investigation after a letter revealing serious rifts between the former headteacher and the governors was leaked.

Stephen Metcalfe, who represents South Basildon, said he was shocked and concerned to hear about the explosive letter from Dr Fox to Les Livermore, who is chairman of the governors at the school.

Mr Metcalfe asked Lord Hill to investigate the issues at the school and he wants to know more about what is going on.

In the letter Dr Fox claimed he had serious concerns over the sponsor Martin Finegold’s educational expertise and how the governance of the school was undermining his attempts to take it forward.

He also claimed he had been threatened with disciplinary action if he tried to get outside help from other schools to help the school.

Mr Metcalfe said: “I am very concerned about what is going on at the Basildon Academies and the contents of the letter. What it shows is that something is not right at the school and just when we all thought the school had turned a corner this letter comes out.

“It’s of great concern that there seems to be a cultural problem that has led to this conflict and I have been in touch with Lord Hill and the Department of Education asking them to investigate what is going on.

“I have asked Lord Hill to come back with a plan of action to stop this happening again. Dr Fox was making a real difference at the school and I cannot pretend that the leadership of the school with the current sponsor and chairman of governors shouldn’t be looked at.

“We have seen two headteachers now leave under the same leadership and we must investigate what is going on.

“It is not only a blow for the teachers but also for the students, they only get one chance at an education and we have got to make sure that they are given the best opportunities possible for their education.”

Inspectors from the Department of Education will be going into the school next week and speaking with Mr Livermore and new headteacher Bev Bell to discuss the way forward for the school.

A Department for Education spokesman said: “We are very concerned by the performance of these schools. We have been working with the Basildon Academies since last October and we have made clear the action they need to take to turn around both Academies quickly.

“The Academy Trust has recruited an interim principal with a proven track record and has sought additional external expertise.

“They report that they are now above the floor standards for the first time. We and Ofsted will continue to closely monitor the schools to ensure that their pupils are getting the education they deserve.”