The suspensions of Nardeep Sharma, chief executive officer of the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust, and Catherine Hutley were confirmed on Friday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Catherine Hutley (second from left) has also been suspended. Picture: DAVE HIGGLETONCatherine Hutley (second from left) has also been suspended. Picture: DAVE HIGGLETON (Image: Archant)

The trust runs Colchester’s Philip Morant School and College and Colne Community School and College in Brightlingsea. Ms Hutley is principal of Philip Morant and executive head at Colne.

Mr Sharma, who was given an OBE last year, is also involved in New School, which is proposed for the former Alderman Blaxill school site in Colchester.

A Thrive Partnership Academy spokesman said: “Suspension is a neutral act and enables the Trust to carry out further work to establish the facts of the situation.

“There is no timeframe for this as yet, but in the interest of all parties we will seek to conclude as soon as possible.

“We have established interim arrangements for the leadership of our schools.”