Gail Khan Associates Supports the Launch of New SEMH Provision ‘Elevate’ in Rotherham 

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 2025, initially welcomed 15 students, with capacity expanding to 30 learners in Autumn 2025. The provision offers a bespoke curriculum focused on building essential life skills and qualifications to help students transition into Post-16 education and adulthood. 

Our involvement began back in Summer 2024 by providing project management expertise to the Trust in preparing and submitting a significant change business case to the Department for Education to secure approval for the satellite expansion of Elements Academy. We worked closely with the Trust to ensure a robust and compelling application that met all DfE requirements and approval was granted in November 2024. 

Following the approval of the significant change business case, we also supported the trust with a Land Consent Application to the DfE. This was a critical step in securing the use of the site for educational purposes and was completed within very tight timescales. Our team ensured that all necessary documentation and approvals were obtained promptly to keep the project on track. 

Once approval was granted, we continued our support by managing the practical aspects of launching the new site. This included overseeing the procurement of key contracts and managing the purchase and installation of furniture, fixtures and equipment within budget and ensuring the provision was operationally ready to welcome students. 

A key part of our approach is building strong partnerships, and we were pleased to facilitate an introduction to the IKEA Charity and Community Team, who generously donated furniture to help furnish and equip the new Elevate provision. Their support played a significant role in creating a welcoming and functional learning environment for the students. 

Speaking about the opening, Chris Davis, CEO of Ethos Academy Trust said: 

“Elevate represents more than just a new building – it’s a lifeline for students who have struggled to find their place in more traditional mainstream or alternative classroom settings. With the support of GKA, we’ve created a space where young people can feel safe, understood and inspired to achieve.” 

This project reflects our commitment to supporting education providers in delivering high-quality, inclusive provision that meets the evolving needs of learners. We are delighted to have contributed to the development of Elevate and the positive impact it is having on the lives of young people in Rotherham is already evident.