News

Are you making the most of your SEND budget?   Do you need to think differently about how you ensure your SEND funding goes further?   Have you reached a pressure point in your SEND provision?  Whether an individual school, a group of schools or a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) GKA can help you to facilitate an independent review of SEND, leading to comprehensive action planning and creative solutions for a system under such significant pressure.     At GKA, we understand the increasingly complex landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With rising levels of…

Solent Academies Trust’s new special school, Luminous Oak Academy, reached a major milestone in its development recently when it celebrated a symbolic steel frame-signing ceremony at its construction site in Eastleigh, Hampshire.   The event saw attendees sign a structural steel frame that will remain part of the building – serving as a lasting symbol of Hampshire County Council and Solent Academies Trust’s commitment to inclusive education and opportunity for all.   GKA are project managing the delivery of the new school for Solent Academies Trust,…

1st December marked a major milestone for the newly formed Heritage Multi-Academy Trust as Reinwood Infant & Nursery School and Reinwood Junior School officially joined the Trust. Their transfer completes a two-year journey to bring together six local Kirklees based schools, with a long-standing culture of collaboration and shared ambition for children and young people. This group of schools is already deeply connected through years of joint working, shared practice and aligned values. They began exploring formal partnership options in…

GKA is proud to have recently led the consultation process for the creation of Luminous Oak Academy, a new specialist school in Hampshire for Solent Academies Trust.   Designed to support children with social, emotional, and mental health needs, Luminous Oak Academy will offer high-quality education for up to 125 students aged 8–16, addressing the growing demand within the Hampshire special school system.  Our team expertly guided Solent Academies Trust through every stage of the consultation, ensuring that all key stakeholders…

GKA are working in close partnership with Solent Academies Trust to develop and implement a comprehensive People Strategy that will support the Trust’s development while nurturing a thriving, values-led workforce.  With five specialist schools already in place and two more due to open by 2028, Solent Academies Trust recognised the need to future-proof its approach to workforce planning, culture, and staff development. As a trusted partner GKA were asked to lead the development of a People Strategy.  GKA has worked…

Gail Khan Associates had a very busy start to the year supporting a number multi academy trusts undertake mergers to form new Trust’s and assisting with school conversions and MAT growth.  On 1st March Linthwaite Clough Junior, Infants and Early Years School became an academy and joined Together Learning Trust.  As part of the conversion process, Gail Khan Associates facilitated the project management support on behalf of Together Learning Trust, offering expert advice and guidance throughout each stage. The team…

Gail Khan Associates (GKA) is pleased to announce the official formation of Apex Collaborative Trust, marking a significant milestone in the educational sector. Formed on 1 April 2025, Apex Collaborative Trust results from the merger of The Pennine Trust and South Craven Academy Trust, bringing together a shared commitment to delivering high-quality education across a wider community of schools for children and young people aged 3-18.  GKA provided comprehensive project management services throughout the merger process, ensuring the smooth integration…

Celebrating Another Successful School Conversion!  We are thrilled to announce that St Charles Catholic Primary School has officially joined St Joseph Catholic MAT as of 1st April – marking yet another milestone in our strong partnership with this exceptional trust.   The GKA team has been proud to provide both capacity and expertise, working closely with the school leadership and trust central team to ensure a seamless and compliant transition. From delivering comprehensive due diligence to expertly managing the conversion and…

GKA is delighted to have played a key role in supporting South York Multi-Academy Trust (SYMAT) and The STAR Multi-Academy Trust (STAR MAT) in successfully securing approval from the Department for Education (DfE) for their merger to form Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT).  The newly established Yorkshire Learning Trust will bring together 17 partner schools, approximately 7,000 students, and 1,000 staff. This collaboration will strengthen the educational provision across the region while ensuring each school retains its unique identity and ethos. …