Beleaguered chain of free schools appoints new interim CEO and announces “partnership” with local academy trust

A chain of free schools which has been in turmoil in recent months has announced the appointment of an interim chief executive and plans for a “partnership” with another local academy trust, while a high-profile former Department for Education official has joined its board.

Canary Wharf College (CWC), which runs a secondary and two primary academies in Tower Hamlets, East London, had been operating without having announced who was leading it, following the departure of its controversial former chief executive Joanne Taylor in late October.

Yesterday, parents were informed by John Afolayan, the trust’s chair, that it was entering into a “formal partnership” with the University Schools Trust (UST), which currently runs four schools in Tower Hamlets and Greenwich.

Gillian Kemp, who is billed as its “trust leader” by UST, has been appointed as CWC’s interim chief executive.

In his letter, Dr Afolayan wrote: “In October I wrote to you with news that Joanne Taylor had decided to step down from her role as CEO of Canary Wharf College and our plans to determine interim leadership arrangements.