EXCLUSIVE: The principal of north Hull's Thomas Ferens Academy has resigned after poor GCSE results for the second year running.
Juliet Strang stepped down with immediate effect this week after provisional figures showed just 20 per cent of pupils at the school hit the Government benchmark of five A* to C grades including English and maths.
The £24m academy has only been open for two years, but has already faced criticism, including a warning from the Government to improve just a year after opening.
The academy was also forced to apologise last week after about 20 pupils had their GCSE results withheld in a row over payment for tablet computers.
The Mail understands the academy was recently visited by Ofsted inspectors, who are likely to be critical.
Parents have been sent letters informing them of Ms Strang's departure and staff were given the news last night.
Ms Strang, who was head at the Villiers School in London for 14 years before taking the helm at Thomas Ferens, said: "When I joined Thomas Ferens Academy I committed to raising achievement.
"Unfortunately, despite a great deal of hard work by all, this year's GCSE results were very disappointing. As a result, I have made the decision to resign.
"I have no doubt that the academy will flourish in the future, and wish all students, families and staff the greatest success."
The academy faced stinging criticism just a year after opening for its unacceptably low GCSE results.
Just 20 per cent of pupils gained the Government benchmark of five A* to C grades including English and maths last summer.
It was 12 per cent less than the closed Sir Henry Cooper School, where the majority of the pupils came from, and woefully short of the predicted 43 per cent.
The shortcomings earned a sharp rebuke from the Government.
Governors were sent a "pre- warning" letter ordering immediate improvement.
Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, said standards were unacceptably low and told leaders at the academy to make rapid improvements or face Government officials appointing additional directors to the school.
It was expected the academy would improve.
However, last week, it once again posted disastrous results.
Provisional results suggest just 20 per cent of pupils achieved a new, tougher gold standard.
The results were lower than the Government floor target of 40 per cent, and significantly short of expectations.
Thomas Ferens Academy is now working closely with Sirius Academy in Anlaby Park Road South, west Hull, in an attempt to drive up standards.
Andrew Dulson, who is an experienced senior leader of Sirius Academy, has been appointed as interim principal.
Mr Dulson will take the helm for the new academic year, which starts next week, and will work closely with Dr Cathy Taylor, the principal of Sirius Academy, to make sure students achieve their academic potential.
In March, Sirius Academy was judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in all areas.
Dr Taylor said: "I am pleased that Sirius Academy is able to offer support to the staff and students of Thomas Ferens and I look forward to working in partnership to enable students to make rapid and sustained progress."
Dr Richard Heseltine, Chair of governors at Thomas Ferens Academy, said: "This is a new chapter for the academy, one that I am confident will be exciting, challenging and rewarding. It is a great example of schools in Hull working together for the benefit of our young people."
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