Academy Trust appointed to run new primary school to serve Kings Moat development
Architect's visualisation of school
Following a tender process carried out by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Department for Education (DfE), the Sandstone Trust has been confirmed as the successful bidder to run the new primary school to serve Kings Moat development once it opens.
Construction work is expected to commence on the site off Moat Lane Road later in the spring and the school is currently anticipated to open at the earliest, in September 2026.
Based on current forecasts of the total number of homes being built on the Kings Moat development:
Approximately 300 children aged 4-11 will require school places in the local area.
As a result, the school would open as a 210 place (one form entry) mainstream primary school, with the intention to add a further 105 places (half form entry) expansion as the housing development progresses and the pupil place need arises.
Once all phases of the surrounding Kings Moat housing development off Wrexham Road are complete, the school would sit centrally within the development with new homes surrounding the school and be located close to the new community playing fields, 3G pitches and the new public park.
Jason Lowe, CEO of the Sandstone Trust said:
We are delighted to be appointed and welcome the new school at Kings Moat into our portfolio of thriving schools across Cheshire West, made up of Eaton Primary School, Tarporley High School, Tarvin Primary School and Weaverham High School. We aim to be a dynamic and forward-thinking Trust which works together whilst retaining the identity and uniqueness of each individual school; we strive to provide the highest quality teaching and learning as well as a range of opportunities to support the personal and social development of all our students. We are looking forward to meeting and working with the local community on this exciting project which we hope will sit at the heart of the Kings Moat development.
Councillor Adam Langan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
I am delighted to confirm the appointment of the Sandstone Trust, this is an important milestone in the development of the new school. The Trust submitted an excellent application with a compelling commitment and firm plan to open a successful new primary school that would work collaboratively with the existing schools and become a valuable addition to the community, and we look forward to working in partnership towards establishing the new school.