GMIS is a proud member of the Independent Schools Association.

Our Story

Greater Manchester Independent School began life in January 2017 as a small community project aimed at reducing and preventing anti-social behaviour in North Manchester. Owing to the success of this provision, the project developed into a full-time alternative education setting. Named ‘Teenage Works,’ the school provided a nurturing and positive environment for young people in the North Manchester area with social, emotional and mental health difficulties who were unable to attend mainstream school. In 2019, the provision achieved Independent School status and became part of the Independent Schools Association. Operating across two sites in Manchester and working alongside a range of local businesses and youth initiatives, for the next four years, the school had 40 full time students enrolled with over 95% going on to education, training or full time work upon leaving the school. As an organisation, the school employed over 20 teachers, tutors and support staff. In January 2023, the founder and Executive Head of School, Louise Hodson, decided to institute a new mission and vision for the school – making it a Greater Manchester Independent School and instituting a new mission to expand the school’s reach, and provide specialist education and support to as many young people in Greater Manchester as possible.

Our mission

At Greater Manchester Independent School, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive, enriching and nurturing environment, where each of our students is seen as capable and all are encouraged to grow to their fullest potential academically, emotionally and socially.

Our mission is to develop, well rounded, confident, independent, responsible and respectful young people who aspire to achieve their full potential. We achieve this by providing a welcoming, happy, safe, encouraging and supportive learning environment to help them flourish. We believe that a happy child is a successful child.

Students at our school are provided with high quality learning experiences based on a broad and balanced curriculum, taught on a “stage, not age” basis. Through this, we aim to nurture a lifelong love of learning in our students.

Our vision

In everything we do at Greater Manchester Independent School, we expect all staff and students to adhere to, and actively demonstrate, our school’s core values, showing that they are:

Responsible — We take responsibility for our own actions, staying safe and happy and taking ownership of our choices and decisions.

Helpful — We work together as a team and always think of others.

Inspiring — We look to the positive examples of others to discover new ways of learning and working.

Honest — We will make things clear and straightforward and tell the truth.

Compassionate – We will be brave, believe in what we do and care about others.

Nurturing – We believe that every young person deserves to learn and thrive in a caring and safe environment.