The principal of Whitehaven Academy has left his post.

It was announced yesterday by Bright Tribe, the trust that runs the academy, that Philip Grant would not be returning in September.

Shocked and concerned parents, members of the academy’s action group, councillors and Copeland MP Jamie Reed had tried unsuccessfully to seek clarification from Bright Tribe after Mr Grant was absent for the final days of term. Some parents had threatened to pull their children out of the school if he did not return.

The Whitehaven News initially contacted the trust about the rumours on July 25 but was unable to establish the facts after the trust refused to answer questions.

Bright Tribe confirmed yesterday that Mr Grant had departed and letters had now been posted out to parents and staff.

A spokesperson said: “Mr Grant would like to pass on his best wishes to all at the school and thank

everyone for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

“We want to thank Mr Grant for his hard work and support over the last 18 months and we are certain that our staff, students and parents will all miss him.”

The principal’s role will be filled by Warren Turner.

Since the change into an academy in 2014, there have been two principals and three acting principals. Mr Grant joined in March last year from Newton Rigg College.

MP Mr Reed condemned Bright Tribe’s lack of communication, saying: “It’s a disgrace that parents, staff and pupils have to rely upon The Whitehaven News for basic information that should be given to them by right.”

Speaking before Bright Tribe’s announcement, Copeland councillor Graham Roberts said parents had praised Mr Grant’s work and had threatened to send their children to another school if he left.

The academy’s action group raised concerns about Mr Grant’s “sudden and uncharacteristic absence from school during the last days of the term”. A spokesperson said: “We have contacted Bright Tribe several times since the end of term but have yet to hear anything back. The lack of communication is increasing the concern we have over the continuity and consistency of good leadership at Whitehaven Academy.”

They said this, coupled with recent press reports about the trust’s sponsor, the companies it works with and who it awards its service contracts to, “is not good for the students”.

The group felt it had made progress over the last 12 months. “Communication between parents and the principal has improved greatly and we do not want this good work to be undone”, the spokesperson added.

New principal Mr Turner will hold surgeries on Aug-ust 31 and September 1 from 2pm until 6pm to meet parents and answer questions.

A Bright Tribe spokesperson said Mr Turner was “a highly experienced school leader” who has spent “nearly 20 years successfully leading several schools”.

“One of Mr Turner’s most recent roles includes head of academy performance for the north within the Department for Education, where he led the improvement in performance of over 45 academies.”

The spokesperson said the trust and the school “is committed to maintaining its close links with the local community and will always aim to communicate changes surrounding the school with staff, students and parents as quickly as possible”.