THE principal of a new college in east Cleveland has resigned just days after it opened.

Alison Fraser, principal of the newly-created Freebrough Community College, resigned because of family illness.

The college is an amalgamation of the three secondary schools in east Cleveland - Rosecroft at Loftus, de Brus at Skelton and Warsett at Brotton.

The college has been dogged by controversy since Mrs Fraser announced plans to introduce a timetable involving youngsters starting late on some days, finishing early on others and only having 30 minutes for lunch every day.

It also emerged that Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is considering the creation of a single-site City Academy.

In a letter to parents, staff and pupils, Mrs Fraser explained that her husband John had suffered a serious heart attack just after she arrived in east Cleveland last year to help set up the college.

She said her husband, who lives in Sussex, has not recovered very well, so she is unable to move to east Cleveland permanently.

She said: "I am extremely disappointed that I will not be here to develop the vision further for Freebrough, particularly as we move towards consultation on the continued development of Freebrough Community College under the City Academy initiative.

"It is a great opportunity that has been offered to the families of Freebrough and its feeder primary schools to create a modern, first-class learning environment."

Kate Cook, chairman of the governors said: "During the past year, during the formation of Freebrough, Alison Fraser has been an inspirational leader, giving us a vision of education for the future. The framework for our future development has been established.

"We are extremely grateful for the time Mrs Fraser has spent at Freebrough and she leaves with our thanks and good wishes."

Arrangements are being made to appoint a successor and an announcement will be made before the end of September.