We are delighted to announce the official opening of our brand-new school buildings for Callerton Academy and Great Park Academy. This remarkable milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional education and enhancing learning opportunities for the children and young people we serve in our community.

The opening of these purpose-built schools marks a significant investment in the region's future education and the projects were funded through substantial investment by the Department for Education (DfE), with support from Newcastle City Council (NCC) via Section 106, Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Basic Need funding.

Callerton Academy and Great Park Academy initially opened in 2021 in temporary accommodation as part of Wave 10 (Great Park Academy) and Wave 13 (Callerton Academy) of the DfE Free School Programme, ensuring much-needed secondary school places in the city. Both school’s new buildings opened to our students for the start of term in September 2025.

Our new school buildings feature outstanding facilities and modern learning spaces, along with dedicated sports complexes that will be accessible to the community outside of school hours. Our students will benefit from contemporary classrooms and specialist facilities. The building designs include spacious, open central areas for lunch and break times, surrounded by classrooms, learning spaces and other facilities, as well as specialist areas for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), ensuring a collaborative and engaging environment. Additional features include ICT rooms, well-stocked libraries, science laboratories, drama studios, music rooms, art rooms, a theatre-style main hall, and design & technology rooms. The sports facilities comprise dance studios, sports halls, outdoor multi-use games areas, and large fields for football, games, and athletics. 

Last week, we celebrated the official openings with our students and welcomed guests from the DfE, NCC, community groups, Gosforth Group employees and Trustees, plus Guests of Honour, Dame Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, and Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North. Guests enjoyed outstanding poetry and musical performances delivered by our students, as well as speeches and the unveiling of commemorative plaques.

Callerton Academy's new building, accommodating up to 1,200 students from Year 7 through to Year 11, was officially opened by Dame Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, on Monday, 13th October. Dame Chi Onwurah explained the impact this project would have, “As the Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central and West, I know how vital high-quality education is to our city’s future. And as someone who was raised and educated in Newcastle, I know that having that space to learn and grow is crucial to so many young people. Callerton Academy has grown from just an idea, into what promises to be a thriving learning environment. It’s also a beginning for the almost 500 students who will walk these halls, for the more than 50 teachers who will inspire them and for the wider community that will benefit from their success. I look forward to seeing the incredible things that will come from this school in the years ahead.”

Similarly, Great Park Academy, which now welcomes up to 1,200 students from Year 5 through to Year 11, was officially opened on Friday, 17^th October, by Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North. Catherine commented, “It’s a real privilege to open Great Park Academy, now rightly at the heart of its community. This new building is a state-of-the-art space where young people can truly achieve and thrive, learn and be creative. It has been a long journey to get to this point, but I want to thank the staff, students and the community for their determination over the past few years. Having a permanent, high-quality school will allow children to unlock opportunities, and I look forward to working with the Gosforth Group to make sure it goes from strength to strength.”

The City Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Families, Lesley Storey, said “we are delighted to celebrate the official opening of these two newly built secondary schools, which are the result of several years of hard work, planning, collaboration and investment from Gosforth Group, DfE and the City Council. Both schools will provide inspiring environments for current and future generations of our children and young people to learn, thrive and achieve their potential as well as wonderful facilities for the wider community”

We are excited to expand our dedication to inclusive, high-quality education and strong community partnerships across Newcastle and beyond. Our Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Alexandra Thorp, shared her excitement, “We are thrilled to open the doors to our new academies. These learning spaces have been thoughtfully designed to inspire learning, foster creativity, and support the wellbeing of every student. It’s more than just a building; it’s a foundation for future success.”

Callerton Academy's event photos:

Great Park Academy's event photos: