The former principal of a Breckland school has joined the senior leadership team at the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust.

Kevin Blakey has left his role at Thetford Academy to become the director of secondary education with the trust, following a national recruitment process.

The trust runs 13 primary and two secondary schools across the King’s Lynn, West Norfolk and West Suffolk area.

Starting his leadership career at Wymondham College, as principal Mr Blakey successfully led East Point Academy, Lowestoft, to its highest results and a good Ofsted rating.

He spent several years at Thetford Academy, as its first vice principal before becoming principal.

Duncan Ramsey, chief executive of Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, said “After our national campaign we are really pleased to have recruited someone of such high quality to our team.

“Kevin’s record of secondary leadership is excellent and he joins the Trust at an exciting stage.

“Eastern Multi-Academy Trust has just celebrated its first birthday and the progress across all academies has been really encouraging.

“We believe the skill and knowledge that Kevin has will help us achieve our ambition to support every academy in our family to be good or better.”

From September, Dan Carter will take over as principal at Thetford Academy, which is run by the Inspiration Trust.

Mr Carter, originally from the West Midlands, has worked at Inspiration Trust schools in Cromer and Great Yarmouth.

He has lived in Norfolk for 20 years, and studied for both his degree and teaching qualifications at the University of East Anglia.

Chairman of governors Lady Kay Fisher said: “Whilst this is good news for Mr Blakey and a career progression, we shall all miss him.

“We have all benefited from his excellent contribution to the success of our school and our Thetford community.

“I am sure you will join me in wishing both Mr Blakey every success in his future career and Mr Carter in becoming part of our Thetford team, and building on the good work in making Thetford Academy flourish.”