Impact Education Multi Academy Trust and Pennine Academies Yorkshire:  GKA Supports Partnership to Completion    

We are delighted to announce that the partnership between Impact Education Multi Academy Trust (Impact) and Pennine Academies Yorkshire (Pennine) has now formally completed, bringing the two Trusts together from 1st September 2026.

The partnership brings together 18 academies, 8,200 pupils and more than 1,200 staff across Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees. Pennine’s seven primary academies join Impact’s existing family of primary, secondary, all-through and alternative provision academies, creating one of the largest non-faith Trusts in West Yorkshire.

From the outset, the partnership has been shaped by a strong alignment between the two organisations. Both Trusts share a commitment to inclusive, high-quality education, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, alongside a clear belief in the benefits of collaboration, shared expertise and strong local relationships. Their complementary geographical reach and respective strengths in primary education, SEND, school improvement and inclusive provision provide a strong foundation for the future.

GKA began supporting the Trusts in May 2025, initially providing due diligence support during the early exploration stage. Our role then developed to support the merger application and consultation process through to submission to the Department for Education.

Following approval, GKA provided project management and strategic oversight across the work required to reach the 1st September milestone. This included supporting governance arrangements, coordinating legal activity, advising on communications, tracking and bringing together key workstreams, and supporting the extensive onboarding activity required ahead of the formal merger date.

Our work has also included helping the Trust to look beyond completion. Alongside the immediate onboarding programme, GKA has provided a structured roadmap of actions to support continued integration throughout the first year, helping to ensure that the new arrangements are embedded effectively once our direct involvement concludes.

A particular strength of the project has been the partnership itself. From the earliest stages, colleagues across both Trusts have worked openly and collaboratively towards a shared goal, with a clear focus on what the partnership can deliver for pupils, staff and communities. That spirit of collaboration has remained evident throughout the programme and has been central to achieving a successful merger.

With a wider network of schools, increased opportunities for staff development and collaboration, strengthened expertise in SEND and school improvement, and greater organisational resilience, the expanded Impact Education Multi Academy Trust is well placed to build on the strengths of both organisations.

Under its vision, “Where Hearts & Minds Connect”, the Trust enters this next chapter with a shared commitment to improving life chances and delivering high-quality, inclusive education for children and young people across its communities.

Mick Kay, Chief Executive, said:  

“GKA’s support has been invaluable throughout this process. Their ability to bring clarity, structure and momentum at each stage has helped both Trusts navigate a complex programme with confidence. They have worked alongside our teams with professionalism and a genuine commitment to what this partnership can achieve for children and staff. We are grateful for their guidance and the way they have helped us reach this milestone together.”