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

Alison Fraser, principal of 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.

It has 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 said that her husband, John, suffered a serious heart attack shortly after she arrived in East Cleveland, last year, to help set up the college.

She said her husband lives in Sussex and has not recovered well, and she is therefore unable to move to East Cleveland permanently.

"I am extremely disappointed that I will not be here to develop further the vision 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," she said.

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."

She said that arrangements were being made to appoint a successor and an announcement would be made before the end of this month