GORSE has a well-known reputation for changing the deal for children and young adults who come from some of the most impoverished parts of the country. Our central mission is to ensure that we play a significant role in removing the stubborn link between poverty and academic underperformance. Consequently, our students and our professionals are in the vanguard of the national drive which seeks to prove that where teaching is excellent, leadership inspiring and behaviour standards exemplary all children excel regardless of background.

Because of the trust’s reputation, we are also seeing the development of a new approach to academisation which is bringing already strong and successful schools forward to convert as new partners within GORSE. Those schools recognise the enormous advantage that comes from belonging to a network of excellence in both leadership and teaching, and we as a trust recognise that there is much to be gained when great organisations are brought together.

We as a trust recognise that there is much to be gained when great organisations are brought together.

Our final aim is to challenge the underperformance of other schools and academies through the excellence of our own work. In particular, we have sought to do this through taking advantage of the free schools programme and our trust will continue to look to develop new schools and to sponsor already existing schools in areas of significant educational underperformance. We believe that all great organisations have a role to play in agitating the system.

Our schools are happy places where everyone understands the importance of working hard and recognising the success of others.

Our trust is also proud of its generosity in sharing ideas and approaches to the development of teaching and leadership with partners regionally and nationally. We are also humble, and take great enjoyment in learning from others including the very best practitioners nationally and internationally but also those struggling most in their work. This is because we believe that all schools contain areas of brilliance and it is for us as professionals to seek them out, understand their success and ensure that their magic is disseminated.

GORSE, of which GORSE SCITT is a central part, was awarded Teaching School Hub status in 2021. This saw the opening of Leeds Teaching School Hub in September of that year. We were delighted to learn in February 2024 that we have been designated to function as Leeds Teaching School Hub for a further 4 years. That renewed status now means that, as a trust, we have a great responsibility placed upon us to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. The most important single quality that we hope to nurture in all professionals is a passion and love for education and a determination to inspire and support young people, regardless of background.

If you're searching for your next education job, please get in touch. You'll be working for a great employer and be part of a friendly, helpful team. We're always interested to hear from enthusiastic, committed education professionals - send us your CV now via our Talent Pool and detail what sort of role you're looking for. By joining our Talent Pool we'll know you're interested in working here when the right vacancy comes up.

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Like all high performing organisations, GORSE will never stand still and become complacent. At the same time, however, the board of GORSE places great emphasis on the need for careful risk assessment and detailed analysis in our considerations of new initiatives.

The Terry Elliott Academy

The Terry Elliott Academy will open in September 2026 on a site immediately adjacent to John Smeaton Academy. The academy benefits from state of the art facilities made possible through its carbon neutral new premises. The Terry Elliott Academy will be a key partner school to John Smeaton Academy, a school which is currently in the process of a rapid, ground-breaking transformation.

The school is named in honour of Terry Elliott, a long standing former chair and trustee of the board of our trust. Terry Elliott has been instrumental for well over a decade in shaping the values and strategic direction of all that we do.

Elliott Hudson College – Expansion

We were delighted to have confirmed the success of our application to secure close to £4 million of funding from the Department for Education for the expansion of our Outstanding sixth form college. This exciting project will be completed ready for the beginning of the 2024/2025 academic year and will see the college catering for close to 1500 students in new and exciting accommodation.

The GORSE Academies Trust

Select one of our schools below to learn more or view jobs

Bardsey Primary School

Leeds, LS17 9DG

Hillcrest Academy

Leeds, LS7 4DR

Little London Community Primary School

Leeds, LS7 1SR

Morley Newlands Academy

Leeds, LS27 8PG

Richmond Hill Academy

Leeds, LS9 8PN

Ryecroft Academy

Leeds, LS12 5AW