The chief operating officer of the embattled Bright Tribe Trust has left her post.

Mary McKeeman’s profile on the multi-academy trust’s website was removed this morning. Heidi Hoskin, the director of primary education, is now listed as the interim COO. 

In a statement, the trust said: “Mary McKeeman left her position as COO of Bright Tribe Trust on 28 November 2017.  

“Heidi Hoskin - former director of primary education for the Bright Tribe and Adventure Learning Academy Trusts, who sat on the executive leadership team and directly supported regional executive principals and academies to drive forward school improvement - has been appointed interim COO.”

Embroiled in controversy

Bright Tribe runs 16 primary and secondary academies located across Suffolk and Essex, Cornwall, and the North of England.

The multi-academy trust has been embroiled in controversy recently, with staff at its Whitehaven Academy in Cumbria asking for their school to be removed from its control. The staff have complained about poor exam results and “dilapidated” buildings. 

Last week Bright Tribe also announced that it was pulling out of a planned takeover of Haydon Bridge High School because the “school’s significant and increasing financial deficit” posed a “significant financial risk to the trust and its portfolio of other schools”.

Ms McKeeman had only been in post since February, following the resignation of the previous COO, Kathy Kirkham.

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