Gail Khan Associates work closely with you to develop a consultation brief before preparing bespoke materials tailored to the respective markets.
Our high quality experts facilitate all consultations and share a final report with clear conclusions and recommendations to map the way forward.
What our clients think:
Following writing a successful application to sponsor the new school GKA supported Prosper Learning Trust in project managing the pre-opening phase/development of a new Special Free School – Harry Watts Academy, in Sunderland in 2019. The new school was commissioned by the local authority to provide specialist education for up to 96 autistic children aged 5-16, as a direct result of the increased demand for autism places within Sunderland and neighbouring authorities. The school would complement existing provision, responding to both pupil place planning pressure and parental demand.
GKA led the project management of the development of the new school, from liaising with the DfE and LA on contractual arrangements to managing the consultation process to the handover of keys to the new build. Work undertaken included setting up governance arrangements, development of an education brief, procurement of ICT and Fixtures Furniture & Equipment contracts, overseeing the marketing and communications and liaison with the Local Authority on the build project. The build was during Covid, which created additional challenges to the project in terms of delivery. The school opened on time at a temporary site in September 2020 and the new build was handed over in December 2020 and opened in January 2021. The school retained the temporary site and now operates across both and has 170 pupils and was judged Outstanding in its first inspection in 2023.
Dales Academies Trust, supported by GKA, successfully applied to sponsor a new Primary Free School in North Northallerton, which was proposed by North Yorkshire County Council to fulfil an anticipated shortfall in pupil places once new homes in the town were built. The new school will offer 210 primary places to children aged 4-11 years.
GKA were commissioned in 2021 to project manage the pre-opening phase and development of the new Primary Free School – Oakbridge Church of England Primary School. GKA guided Dales through the Free School process and contractual arrangements, liaising with the DfE and LA, setting up governance structures (including a ‘Friends Committee’ who will act as a fundraising body for the school), oversaw the development of the education brief, led procurement of ICT and FF&E contracts and managed the stakeholder consultation.
Working alongside the LA, GKA maintained oversight of the build project, ensuring everything was on track. The new building is due to be handed over at the end of June this year and the first intake of Reception children will join Oakbridge CofE Primary School in September 2024.