The principal of a school set to replace a failing secondary has been revealed.

Mathieu Stevens will be the man to take charge of Leigh Academy Minster on the Isle of Sheppey when it opens next year.

Mr Stevens, who previously helped improve The Halley Academy in Greenwich before joining the Leigh Academy in Dartford, will be tasked with trying to turn around secondary education in the area.

“I am honoured to be entrusted with the role of principal at Leigh Academy Minster,” he said.

“My journey with Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) has been one of profound professional growth and shared commitment to the belief that every child deserves a high-quality education regardless of where they live. I am eager to lead Leigh Academy Minster into an era where our dedication to academic excellence, innovative learning, and community collaboration sets a new benchmark for education on the Island.

“Our students' potential is limitless, and I am resolute in my pledge to foster an academy that nurtures their aspirations, celebrates their achievements, and equips them for the global stage. Together, we will craft an educational experience that resonates with our values and honours the unique spirit of Sheppey."

Currently, plans propose the Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey is closed and and replaced by two new academies run by Leigh Academy Minster (LAM) and EKC Sheppey Secondary (EKCSS) from September 1.

The boss of EKC has previously said he’s confident he can turn his into an outstanding school.

Oasis currently has campuses in Minster and Sheerness and has received criticism from parents and Ofsted, which rated the school “inadequate” last year.

In a damning report, inspectors painted a shocking picture of bullies running out of control terrifying pupils, "foul, homophobic, racist and sexist language" going unchecked, a lack of permanent teachers and more than half of pupils not even bothering to turn up for lessons.

Despite slight improvements, the school failed to improve its rating during a follow-up inspection by the education watchdog this year.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson, who is set to leave his role at the next election, will also be joining Leigh Academy Minster to become chairman of governors from September next year.

A spokesman for LAT said: “We are honoured that such a high-profile and well-respected community figure will take on this important role.

“Gordon has been at the forefront of leading the campaign for changes in secondary education on Sheppey for many years. These changes are now coming to fruition. Gordon’s role at Leigh Academy Minister will be to hold academy leaders firmly accountable for the promises they have made to the community and to ensure maximum support for success.”

Mr Henderson added: “I was honoured to be asked to be chairman.

“The system of secondary education on the Isle of Sheppey has been letting down families for decades and I believe the proposal to scrap the current single split-site school, and replace it with two new schools, is just the kind of radical solution that parents on the Island have been crying out for.

“It is now important that Islanders rally around and give the two new schools their full support. As an Islander myself, I want to do my bit to make this exciting change to secondary education on Sheppey a success, which is why I was delighted to accept the invitation to lead the new board of governors at Leigh Academy Minster.”

A public consultation on the plans is currently under way and closes at 5pm on December 4.

It seeks views on the closure of Oasis Academy Isle of Sheppey and the opening of Leigh Academy Minster and EKC Sheppey Secondary.

You can find more information about the consultation here.

Hundreds of parents have been attending information evenings this week to find out more about the project.

There will be another event on Thursday, November 23, at the Oasis Academy in Minster from 5pm.