MAUREEN Strudwick will have to fight to retain her post as principal of Thomas Clarkson Community College following its emergence as an academy and outside the control of Cambridgeshire County Council.

Brooke Weston Partnership will take over running of the Wisbech school from April under a 30-year deal agreed between the governors, the council and the Government.

Fundamental to the move is the appointment of a principal designate to lead the school.

Sir Peter Simpson, executive principal of Brooke Weston, has advertised the new post and applicants have until tonight (Friday January 6) to apply.

Sources say Ms Strudwick has applied and is a strong contender for the role having lifted teaching standards, improved discipline and achieved better academic results since her appointment.

Sir Peter explained that the school’s move into a �30million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funded building this month had created an exciting opportunity for a principal to “lead a new academy housed in a purpose-built new building”.

He said Brooke Weston was a sponsor “committed to ensuring that the new academy becomes the school of choice for parents and students in the district”.

Sir Peter said: “Last year 24 per cent of students at Thomas Clarkson achieved five or more GCSEs including English and mathematics with 44 per cent achieving five or more GCSEs in any subject.

“Our clear commitment is for the national floor target to be achieved in 2012 and to improve upon these results year by year thereafter.”

County council education officials say Brooke Weston has a long track record of success in working with other schools and students of all abilities and backgrounds to improve results. Its successes in Corby have won national acclaim.

Pupils have visited Brooke Weston’s Northants schools and one early decision will be the choice of uniform: Wisbech pupils are thought to have backed blazers, ties and white shirts.