A HEADTEACHER is set to be parachuted in to help a troubled education trust whose bosses have been suspended.

High profile school leaders Nardeep Sharma and Catherine Hutley were both suspended last month, although the reasons why have not been revealed.

Mr Sharma is the chief executive officer of the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust, which runs Philip Morant School in Colchester and the Colne School in Brightlingsea.

Ms Hutley is the principal of Philip Morant School and College and the executive head of the Colne School and College.

Nearly one month after the Gazette broke the news, no reason has been given for their suspension.

Parents of pupils at the schools were sent an email informing them of the appointment of former Philip Morant deputy headteacher Philip Hurst, who is now headteacher at Thomas Mills High School, in Framlinghan, Suffolk.

The statement said Mr Hurst “will be providing our schools with leadership support for our interim management arrangements”.

It added: “Thomas Mills High School is a successful school with a broad and balanced curriculum and an ethos which fits in well with our school communities.”

Mr Hurst was appointed as Thomas Hills’ headteacher five years ago. He is expected to spend two days a week in the two schools.

The partnership said it has also appointed four new trustees to its board.

The statement added: “The expertise and experience the new board members bring will be of great assistance to the trust.”

Mr Sharma and Ms Hutley have been contacted for comment by the Gazette but have not commented.

According to the partnership’s public accounts, the pair took home combined pay packets and pension contributions of at least £275,000.