The chief executive of the academy trust responsible for Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy in Ilkeston has resigned with immediate effect.
Kevin Gritton has stepped down from his role as chief executive of St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which runs 25 schools across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire.
The announcement comes amid ongoing strike action, restructuring proposals, compulsory redundancies and growing scrutiny of the Trust’s finances.
The Trust has been operating under Department for Education intervention since 2023 and earlier this year received a second Notice to Improve over concerns about its financial position and governance.
Published accounts showed the Trust had a reported deficit of around £9.2 million, making it one of the worst-performing academy trusts in England financially.
Recent reports have also revealed that governors were informed there were overdue invoices across the Trust linked to its financial position, while additional financial support had been received from the Department for Education.
Industrial action involving teaching and support staff has affected nine schools within the Trust, including Saint John Houghton in Ilkeston. Further strike dates are currently scheduled for next week.
Mr Gritton had served as chief executive since 2022, having previously spent 12 years as headteacher at St Benedict Catholic Academy in Derby.
In a short statement confirming his departure, Trust board chair Sarah Noon said:
“Kevin Gritton, the chief executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, has resigned with immediate effect.
“The board is currently finalising interim leadership plans, which will be communicated shortly.”
No further details surrounding the resignation have been released.