Consultations
FAQs were updated on 24th September and a new message (2nd October 2025) from Trustees has been uploaded to the consultations page.
For the latest FAQs and Trustees' messages please click here

Trustee Attendance

Trust Board Attendance 2023-2024

DirectorAttendedPossiblePercentage
Chris Bowes44100%
Barbara Daykin2450%
Steve Griffiths1250%
Paul Jones (Chair)44100%
Harj Kilshaw44100%
Frank Norris44100%
Catherine Williams44100%
Executive Officer (CEO)
Brendan Loughran44100%

Finance and Resources Committee 2023-2024

DirectorAttendedPossiblePercentage
Frank Norris (Chair)3475%
Paul Jones44100%
Kal Kay44100%
Steve Griffiths020%
Executive Officer (CEO)
Brendan Loughran44100%

Audit & Risk Committee 2023-2024

Director AttendedPossiblePercentage
Steve Griffiths (Chair)22100%
Paul Jones 2367%
Kal Kay (Acting Chair)33100%
Executive Officer (CEO)
Brendan Loughran 33100%

Pay & Remuneration Committee 2023-2024

Director AttendedPossiblePercentage
Catherine Williams (Chair)22100%
Barbara Daykin22100%
Harj Kilshaw22100%
Executive Officer (CEO)
Brendan Loughran 22100%

Outcomes Committee 2023-2024

Director AttendedPossible Percentage
Barbara Daykin (Chair)44100%
Chris Bowes44100%
Executive Officer (CEO)
Brendan Loughran 44100%

Our Trust

Governance and Policies

Quality and Standards

Trust News

15th July 2024

Copley is a GOOD school!

Ofsted have graded Copley Academy a Good School in every category. Ofsted inspectors visited the Academy on 11th and 12th June 2024 and a glowing report has now been published…

10th November 2022

Great Academies Podcast Launch

We are excited to announce an exciting new podcast series – Teach Tomorrow Today. In this series, we’ll get behind the personalities in global education. Hear from educators across early years,…

27th September 2022

PRIMARY SCHOOL RATED ‘GOOD’ IN GLOWING OFSTED REPORT

Silver Springs Primary Academy has been rated “Good” overall in its latest Ofsted inspection. Principal, Deborah Mason said she was “delighted” with the latest report, which follows a two-day visit…

16th September 2022

Great Academies Launches Employee Benefits

Great Academies employees are now able to benefit from a range of initiatives that can support their work-life balance. All staff can access free health protection through Westfield Health, which…

16th September 2022

Copley Academy Making Great Strides

Nestled at the foot of the pennies in Stalybridge is Copley Academy. A small and friendly secondary school with a first-class provision for its students and where support for the…

16th September 2022

Principal Making Positive Change

Since the arrival of Principal David Waugh in January 2021, the school has been focused on transforming the life chances of the young people they serve. Great Academy Ashton believes…

5th July 2022

OFSTED PRAISE FOR TEACHER TRAINING

The Pioneers Partnership school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) has retained its Good grading by OFSTED. The report has now been released after inspectors visited the Pioneers Partnership training programme in…

28th June 2022

Exciting £1.5 million investment plan for Great Schools

As the education sector begins to reflect on the Schools White Paper published by the department for education in May, which sets out ambitious plans to move schools into strong…

27th April 2022

Trust invests in new and improved websites for its schools

Great Academies Education Trust has launched a new range of websites after investing in a major redesign project for its schools in Tameside and Rochdale. GAIN LINE, who delivers consulting…

24th March 2022

New Strategic Plan for 2022 -2025 Launched

Great Academies Education Trust has launched its new strategic plan for 2022 – 2025. Developed with input from Trustees, Staff, and Members, the Trust’s new strategic plan brings forward five…

14th March 2022

Academy Launches New Programme to Support Primary School Pupils

Great Academy Ashton has launched a new specialist pathway in Tameside for primary school pupils who have a keen interest in English, Science and Maths. Pupils who enjoy academic study…

14th February 2022

Digital Skills in the Covid-endemic World – What have we learnt and what needs to change?

John Sibbald – specialist digital leader in education discusses! Something I have been championing over the past ten years has been the subject of digital skills for all.  In January…

2nd February 2022

Trust and Academy Receive Positive Praise in latest Ofsted Report

Copley Academy has been given a boost after receiving a positive report in their latest inspection.  The School was inspected in December last year by a team from Ofsted. The…

31st January 2022

Teacher Judges Teach Secondary Technology Awards

Curriculum lead for Computer Science Adrian Briggs switched the classroom for the boardroom as he deliberated over the latest educational app submissions as part of the Teach Secondary Awards.  Each…

24th November 2021

Growing the Trusts Knowledge Networks to Improve School Performance

Numerous individuals from across the span of the education landscape have been brought together to help navigate the Trusts school improvement model. The model which aims to deliver bespoke school…

22nd November 2021

BBC cameras visit Copley Academy

The BBC cameras visited Copley Academy today as part of their one o’clock and six o’clock news coverage.     BBC Education correspondent Elaine Dunkley was welcomed into the Stalybridge school…

18th November 2021

Great Academies Appoints New Director of Finance

Great Academies Education Trust has appointed Lucy Bowman as its new Director of Finance and Estates to help develop new business relationships and support the growth of the Trust. Ms…

11th November 2021

Delivering New National Qualification for Teachers and School Leaders

Great Academies Education Trust will be leading on one of the Department for Education (DfE) newly reformed National Professional Qualifications which have been revised to more accurately support teachers and…

9th June 2021

Partnership Boosts English and Mathematics

Great Academies Education Trust and The Greater Manchester Learning Partnership has teamed up to provide a much-needed ‘post-lockdown’ boost to school children in Tameside and Rochdale. Through their collaboration, Primary and Secondary…

27th May 2021

Academy Named One of the Brand New Behaviour Hub Partner Schools

Great Academy Ashton has been awarded the accolade of becoming a behaviour hub partner school following Great Academies Education Trust engagement in the Department for Educations new programme. Behaviour hubs…

22nd March 2021

BBC Cameras Visit Great Academy Ashton

The BBC cameras have visited Great Academy Ashton BBC Education Editor Branwen Jeffreys was welcomed into the Ashton under Lyne campuson Thursday, November 25, during filming for a national news…

19th March 2021

New Copley Principal’s ‘Flagship’ Vision for School

New principal Ruth Craven says she is excited to support the 630 young people in her care. During her career Ruth has spent 24 years in education, and the last…

15th March 2021

Trust Extends E-learning Strategy To Support Schools And Students

Great Academies Education Trust has continued its investment in its e-learning strategy even though pupils are back at school.  The trust have invested over £600K in new technology and new ways…

15th March 2021

Hundreds more laptops and tablets given to disadvantaged

Great Academies Education Trust has taken additional steps to ensure that students across Tameside and Rochdale schools have been provided with Laptops or iPads. In addition to the digital roll out provided…

14th January 2021

New Principal Appointed at Great Academy Ashton

David Waugh has taken on the role at Great Academy Ashton this month and says how excited he is to support the 1280 young people in his care. During his career,…