THE headteacher of the Gateway Community College will step down this summer after not being offered a role in the school's re-structuring.

The school, which is currently spread across two sites - the former Torells check site in Grays and the ex-St Chads school in Tilbury - will become Thurrock's first academy school in September ahead of its move to a state-of-the-art facility on Marshfoot Road, Tilbury, next year.

But current head, Mark Morrall, will not be the man to lead the school into its new home after it was decided by the newly-formed, Gateway Academy project steering group, that a new management structure would be put in place.

The school will now have, as of September, an executive principal, who will be responsible for the management of a network of academy's that includes the Gateway and a head of school who will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the school.

The Gazette understands that Mr Morrall put himself forward for the head of school job but lost out to Gary Pratt. Margaret Wilson has been named executive principal.

The steering group - which is made up of representatives from the academy sponsors, the Ormiston Trust, the Department of Education and Skills (DfES), Thurrock Council, the Gateway Community College governing body, and the project managers, Nord Anglia Partnerships in Education - has indicated that this structure will remain in place until the appointment of a new principal.

In a joint statement, Mrs check Wilson and Mr Pratt, said: "We are committed to ensuring that this community has access to excellent education and a fully extended school offering a range of services and activities to students, families and the community.

"The proposed Academy will be dedicated to ensuring that students, families and the community have access to a rich programme of activities and services. It is our job to make sure this happens and we are very happy to be starting this process.

"The first challenges for us are to build strong partnerships with students, staff, parents and the community so that we can meet their needs and their aspirations."

The pair bring a wealth of leadership experience to their roles, including headship of a large 11-18 comprehensive school, external consultancy to improve standards with the Department for Education and Skills and extensive experience of managing change to improve standards.

Coun Val Liddiard, chair of governors of The Gateway Community College, who will also be on the board of trustees of the proposed The Gateway Academy, said: "We are delighted to have this Executive Leadership team in place to support the process of change. The benefits of Academy status for the local community are significant.

"We feel the substantial investment that follows becoming an Academy, including a broader range of high quality facilities, will give students and staff the opportunities they need to enhance educational achievements and fulfil the community's aspirations for our young people."

The Government officially granted Gateway academy status in March which enabled work to begin on the new school on Marshfoot Road.