New school with 'state of the art facilities' set to open in Leeds after green light from the Government
A new school is one step closer to opening in Leeds, after the Government approved the plans to pre-opening stage.
The Gorse Academies Trust plans to open a new school in September 2027, on a site immediately adjacent to John Smeaton Academy in Smeaton Approach, east Leeds.
The Terry Elliott Academy will include “state of the art facilities” in its carbon-neutral new premises, the Trust said.
The Department for Education (DfE) has now agreed to approve the school to pre-opening stage, following a submission made in collaboration with Leeds City Council.
John Townsley, Chief Executive of The Gorse Academies Trust, said: “We and the local authority made a joint submission demonstrating the clear need for a high-quality school to be created in an area of significant new house building, and we are delighted that the DfE has made the decision to approve The Terry Elliott Academy.
“The Terry Elliott Academy will be a key partner school to John Smeaton Academy, which is achieving rapid improvement after joining the trust.”
The school will be named after Terry Elliot, a longstanding former chairman and trustee of The Gorse Academies Trust.
”[He] was instrumental for well over a decade in shaping the values and strategic direction of all that we do,” John added.
“Naming the school after him was a small gesture to recognise the huge contribution he has made to The Gorse Academies Trust and to the life chances of thousands of children.”
The Gorse Academies Trust runs a number of schools in Leeds, including Boston Spa Academy, Richmond Hill Academy and The Ruth Gorse Academy, which is one of Yorkshire's top state secondary schools.