THURROCK Council has confirmed that headteacher Graham Winter has left troubled Grays School Media Arts College.

The school was put into special measures last year and inspectors, who made an interim inspection in January, slammed the school for its lack of progress.

Mr Winter has been replaced by two trouble-shooting head teachers drafted in from Middlesbrough and Hendon.

In a statement the council said: "We would like to thank Graham Winter for his efforts at The Grays School Media Arts College - achievements which have seen improvements in the school's value-added Key Stage Three results, putting it in the top 40 per cent in the country. He has now left the school."

The Council says thhey have a plan in place to improve the school, adding: "The council was already working on a long-term proposal for the school when the second Ofsted inspection took place in January and this will see recognised Government specialists in school recovery working at the school from the start of the summer term.

"Between now and Easter, the council has drafted in two top headteachers who will be sharing the work at the school. They are Robert Dore (of the Unity Academy, Middlesbrough), and David Fuller (Hasmonean High School, Hendon).

"This response was one of several measures already being put in place by The Grays School's Interim Executive Board at the time of the second Ofsted inspection. Following the inspection Ofsted's recommendations are being incorporated into the school's recovery plan."

Councillor Mike Revell, Thurrock Council's Cabinet member for Children's Services, said: "Late last year when it became clear that The Grays School's recovery was not taking place as quickly as hoped, we made the decision to bring in outside assistance to turn the school around.

"The Grays School Media College now has the chance to start a new and better chapter in its life and I know that teachers, supply staff, parents and children will come together to make this happen.

"We have been working incredibly hard to put together a programme that will bring improvements for the students currently at the school as well as creating a firm base for the future."