GKA Supports Solent Academies Trust Through Free School Journey
GKA is delighted to congratulate Solent Academies Trust on the opening of Luminous Oak Academy, a new specialist free school in Boorley Green, Hampshire, which formally opened on 1st September 2026.
Luminous Oak Academy has been developed in response to increasing demand for specialist school places across Hampshire and will provide education for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. The school opens initially with 40 pupils and will grow over three years to provide 125 places for children aged 8 to 16.
Luminous Oak was established through the local authority free school presumption route, with Hampshire County Council identifying the need for the new provision and Solent Academies Trust selected to establish the school and welcome it into its family of academies.
GKA has worked alongside Solent on the Luminous Oak journey for over three years. Our support began during the early exploration, application and interview stages, helping the Trust to develop its proposal and prepare for the selection process.
Following the successful outcome, our role moved into the full pre-opening programme, supporting Solent as it worked closely with Hampshire County Council and the Department for Education to turn the plans for Luminous Oak into a new school, ready to welcome its first pupils.
GKA has provided project management and strategic oversight across the many interdependent activities required to establish a brand-new academy. This has included supporting engagement with the Department for Education and Hampshire County Council, coordinating legal and governance requirements, and maintaining oversight of the detailed pre-opening programme.
Working alongside the Trust, we have supported planning across the wide range of areas required to ensure the academy was ready to open, bringing together activity relating to governance, legal, ICT, pre-opening Ofsted inspection, funding arrangements, staffing, policies, admissions, communications and operational readiness. Our role has been to maintain oversight of key dependencies and milestones, helping Solent and its partners remain aligned throughout the journey to opening.
Alongside the education and operational programme, the purpose-built school has been delivered by Hampshire County Council Property Services in partnership with Tilbury Douglas. Designed specifically around the needs of pupils with SEMH, the new facilities are the culmination of a significant collaborative effort to create an environment in which children and young people can learn, develop and thrive.
Sharon Burt, CEO of Solent Academies Trust, said: “The Academy’s name was chosen with the involvement of pupils, with Luminous Oak symbolising strength, growth and resilience. Its opening marks an exciting new chapter for the pupils, staff and families joining the Academy, and for the wider Solent family of academies.”
“Working in partnership, Luminous Oak will bring the Trust’s vision to life: ‘Together we inspire lifelong learning, perseverance, kindness and growth, transforming the lives of our children and families.’ Through collaboration, ambition and a shared commitment to every child, the Academy will create opportunities for children and young people to flourish, develop their strengths and achieve their full potential.”
GKA is delighted to have been alongside Solent Academies Trust throughout this journey and to have played a part in bringing Luminous Oak Academy to fruition. We congratulate the Trust, the Academy and all of the teams and partners who have contributed to reaching this significant milestone, and wish the entire Solent family every success as they begin this exciting new chapter together.
📷 Image 1 – Photo credit: Tilbury Douglas
📷 Image 2 – Photo credit: Noviun Architects
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