News

At Gail Khan Associates, our strength lies in the expertise and dedication of our team. As part of our Meet the Team series, we’re delighted to introduce Lesley Conway, one of GKA’s highly experienced HR Consultants and Executive Coach.  Lesley is an accomplished strategic HR and People leader with a proven track record in building high‑impact teams, driving culture transformation and supporting sustainable organisational growth. Previously, she has led a Multi Academy Trust’s HR and People function, creating a values‑driven,…

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…

On Wednesday, 12 August we had our summer GKA Team Away Day in a lovely air-conditioned room at Gilbanks; it was fab to see everyone in person - who knew we all had legs! We covered a lot of ground: Education reforms, KCSIE, future MAT Inspections, Trust Quality Descriptors, Social Values and the lessons learnt that shape how we continue to improve. We also spent time exploring new service ideas and opportunities that will help us continue delivering high‑quality, meaningful…

Gail Khan Associates (GKA) is proud to announce the successful academy conversion of Westwood Academy, enabling the Scarborough‑based Pupil Referral Unit to officially join Venn Academy Trust.  This milestone marks the culmination of a detailed and collaborative process led by GKA, who oversaw all aspects of the conversion, from due diligence and governance preparation to stakeholder engagement and transition planning. Working closely with Westwood Academy and Venn Academy Trust, GKA ensured that every stage was managed with clarity, structure and precision, resulting in a smooth…

We are pleased to share that Sudbury Primary School recently converted to academy status and joined ACE Derbyshire Trust.   Gail Khan Associates were delighted to support the school and the Trust throughout the conversion, providing end-to-end project management alongside clear advice and guidance at every stage. Working closely with school leaders, the Trust and key stakeholders, GKA helped ensure statutory requirements were met and that the transition was delivered smoothly and efficiently.   This conversion is an important milestone for Sudbury Primary School and for…

Gail Khan Associates is marking a major milestone on 1st May, celebrating 15 years since founder Gail Khan established the education and project management consultancy.  Founded in 2011, Gail Khan Associates works with Multi Academy Trusts, schools, academies, further and higher education providers, local authorities and government agencies, providing specialist support and overseeing major change projects.  Its work spans project management, governance and procurement support, stakeholder consultation and communications, interim support services, bid writing, helping education organisations plan, deliver and embed improvements.  Over the last 15 years Gail…

At Gail Khan Associates, we are proud to have played a key role in supporting Ethos Academy Trust with the successful opening of Elevate – a new SEMH provision developed under the umbrella of Elements Academy in Rotherham.  This new satellite site has been designed specifically to support Key Stage 4 students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs who are unable to attend a school setting, providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where young people can access full-time education. Elevate, opened in January…

We are delighted to introduce Michelle Phillips, one of GKA’s Project Manager/Co‑ordinators, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team.   Michelle has over 20 years’ experience across a broad range of sectors, from private industry to education. Having previously worked within a well‑established multi‑academy trust, she offers strong communications and management skills, with a proven ability to lead teams, meet key deadlines and deliver high‑quality projects from concept through to completion.   At GKA, Michelle provides oversight and coordination across a wide…

We’re excited to introduce Melanie Clarke, our Project Support and Senior Administrator, who brings over 30 years of PA and administrative experience at Director and Executive level. As a central point of contact, Melanie has worked with GKA for more than 9 years, playing a key role in streamlining processes and ensuring smooth transitions for both colleagues and clients.  With a strong background in administration, organisation, and a keen eye for detail, Melanie consistently demonstrates exceptional organisational and problem-solving skills. Melanie excels…

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…