New Chatham academy principal suspended
The principal of a Kent academy which opened in September has been suspended with immediate effect.
Medway Council said Christopher Sweetman had been suspended from the Bishop of Rochester Academy (BoRA) in Chatham following a performance review.
The Church of England academy, which specialises in maths with ICT and music, replaced Medway Community College and Chatham South School.
It operates from two campuses in Magpie Hall Road and Letchworth Avenue.
BoRA is sponsored by Rochester Diocese, Canterbury Christ Church University and Medway Council.
"The sponsors want to reassure parents that steps are being taken to bring about rapid and significant improvement at the school," the sponsors said.
"The quality of learning and behaviour of students at the academy is extremely important and remains our key priority.
"The sponsors remain committed to working in partnership with parents to ensure students are making maximum progress."
Leonie Allen and John McMaster have been appointed as joint acting principals as an interim measure.
Medway Community College was in special measures for over two years before being declared satisfactory by Ofsted in April last year.
It closed in August, along with Chatham South.
Construction work is due to start later this year on a new building for BoRA on the Magpie Hall Road site, expected to be opened in 2013.