THE headteacher of a failing school has resigned.

Graham Winter has left troubled Grays School Media Arts College after it received another criticical Ofsted report.

The school was put into special measures last year and, following an interim inspection in January, it was criticised by inspectors for making insufficient progress.

Mr Winter has been replaced by two trouble-shooting headteachers who have been drafted in from Middlesbrough and Hendon. In a statement Thurrock council said: "We would like to thank Graham Winter for his efforts at the Grays School Media Arts College - achievements which have seen improvements in the school's value-added Key Stage 3 results, putting it in the top 40 per cent in the country."

The council said it had been working on a long-term plan for the school when the second Ofsted inspection took place.

This will see specialist Government staff working to improve the school from the start of the summer term.

The two headteachers drafted in to run the school until then, are Robert Dawe, of the Unity Academy, Middlesbrough, and David Fuller, of Hasmonean High School, Hendon.

Mike Revell, Thurrock councillor responsible for children's services, said: "Late last year when it became clear that The Grays School's recovery was not taking place as quickly as hoped, we made the decision to bring in outside assistance to turn the school around.

"The Grays School Media College has the chance to start a new and better chapter in its life and I know teachers, supply staff, parents and children will come together to make this happen.

"We have been working incredibly hard to put together a programme that will bring improvements for the students currently at the school as well as creating a firm base for the future."