The principal of the Hewett Academy in Norwich is to leave at the end of the school year to take up a headship at a Catholic school.

Eastern Daily Press: Tom Leverage, principal of the Hewett AcademyTom Leverage, principal of the Hewett Academy (Image: Archant)

Tom Leverage joined the school in May 2015, as it controversially transitioned from the local authority-run Hewett School to the Hewett Academy, operated by the Inspiration Trust.

The trust confirmed on Monday that Mr Leverage has accepted a headteacher post at the Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School in Coventry from September.

Until a new full-time principal is appointed, Gareth Stevens, who has been executive principal at both Hethersett Academy and the Hewett since September, will continue to oversee both schools.

Mr Leverage said: 'I am sad to be leaving the Hewett Academy at the end of this term, but I also relish the rare opportunities my new role at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School will bring to fully unite my faith and my passion for education.

'I am grateful for the support of so many pupils, parents, and staff who have helped us raise standards across the academy, and colleagues across the Inspiration Trust who have done so much to support us.'

MORE: 'It has a very bright future' - new head's optimism for the Hewett Academy

Before joining the Hewett, Mr Leverage, one of three people interviewed for Inspiration Trust job, was previously deputy headteacher at the nearby Notre Dame High School and has worked at Eaton Hall Specialist Academy.

Trust chief executive Dame Rachel de Souza said: 'We are very sorry to be losing Tom, who over three academic years has done a fantastic job in laying the foundations for future success at The Hewett Academy.

'Given Tom's personal faith we fully respect his desire to lead a Catholic school and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.'

He took over the Hewett during something of a crossroads for the school - after suffering disappointing exam results, it had been put into special measures six months earlier and was due to become an academy that September.

Though it is yet to be inspected by Ofsted as an academy, the Hewett is still overcoming issues.

In April, we revealed that of the 180 places for year seven students starting in September, just 43 had been filled, leaving 137, 76pc, empty.

Its progress score for GCSEs in 2016 was also -0.54, below the national average of -0.03.

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