Great Academy Ashton (formerly New Charter Academy) is a coeducational secondary school with academy status in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England. The school was formed on 1 September 2008 as a result of a merger between Hartshead Sports College and Stamford High School. New Charter Academy was originally split between the two former school sites, but moved to a new £40 million sole campus in September 2011. Great Academy Ashton is part of the Great Academies Education Trust which also includes Copley Academy and Silver Springs Primary Academy, both in Stalybridge. Great Academy Ashton is sometimes informally known as GAA and used to be called New Charter Academy up until September 2017. The school was placed in special measures in January 2017 and as a result the former headteacher left. The current headteacher has been working at the school since April 2017. Notable former pupils Hartshead County Secondary School David Potts, CEO, Morrisons References External links Official website Great Academies Education Trust Secondary schools in Tameside Academies in Tameside Educational institutions established in 2008 2008 establishments in England