TWO secondary schools whose leaders were suspended are now run by a new academy trust.

The Thrive Academy Partnership Trust was formed in September 2016 to run to Philip Morant School and College, Colchester, and Colne Community School and College, Brightlingsea.

But in March its chief executive, Nardeep Sharma and executive principal, Catherine Hutley, were suspended for unknown reasons.

Mr Sharma left his role in October.

His resignation came weeks after that of former colleague Ms Hutley.

Mrs Hutley is now understood to have a new education job at Essex County Council.

Neither Mr Sharma or Ms Hutley have been able to speak about what happened since they were suspended.

It understood both received payouts with the caveat to not disclose what happened.

A Thrive Partnership Academy Trust spokesman said: "The Philip Morant School and College and The Colne Community School and College have both been transferred from the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust to The Sigma Trust. The formal transfer took place on 1 January 2019.

"The Thrive Trust will undertake no further activities. The Trust will still exist as a legal entity until June while final accounts are prepared, but it has no responsibilities for schools.”

Scott Holder is the principal of Philip Morant School while Neil Gallagher is interim executive principal of Colne School.

An investigation into Thrive’s governance is being led the Education and Skills Funding Agency.