THURROCK Council’s school improvement team has been drafted in after the headteacher of Grays Media School and Arts College left her post by mutual consent.

Lynn Ibeji, pictured, quit the Hathaway Road school last week after being absent for a number of weeks.

In a statement, the school said: “Lynn Ibeji has decided to leave by mutual agreement. We wish her all the best for her future.”

John Marchant, who has many years experience at the school, has taken over as acting head-teacher until a replacement is appointed.

Mrs Ibeji was offered the school’s top job in May 2008 after her predecessor Graham Winter quit when the school was put in special measures by Ofsted. At that time it was deemed to be “offering pupils an acceptable standard of education”.

Having previously worked at schools in Kent, Mrs Ibeji dragged the school out of special measures in 2009 and at its last inspection the school was found to be “satisfactory” by Ofsted.

That report, published in November 2011, said the quality of leadership across the school needed improving.

It also said: “Students make satisfactory progress from low starting points.

“Nevertheless, the proportion of students gaining five good GCSE grades including English and maths remains below average.”

Cllr Oliver Gerrish, the council’s portfolio holder for education, said: “At the moment stability is the key for the school.

“Parents, staff and pupils need to be assured the council and the school are working together looking to the future.

“Thurrock Council is doing all it can to support Mr Marchant at this time, including assistance from the school improvement team.

“We are very ambitious for the school and are determined to explore every avenue in realising its huge potential.”