Council announces academy trust selected to run new primary school in Nantwich

Cheshire East Council has announced that North West Academies Trust has been appointed as the sponsor for the new, 210-pupil, primary school in Nantwich.

The one form entry primary school, due to open in autumn 2024, subject to planning approval, will be located on the Kingsley Fields development where the building of 1,100 new homes is progressing. 

Provision of a new primary school is one of the conditions for this development, so that children can be educated locally and can easily travel to school. The new school aims to reduce the pressure on oversubscribed schools in the Nantwich area, limiting the need to travel across town and any additional traffic.

The council has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient places for both primary and secondary children in the borough. Their school organisation team has been managing the project, working closely with the Department for Education (DfE), to appoint a sponsor to run the school. 

A number of sponsors were considered during the selection process by a panel, including the council officers, young people and DfE regional directors’ officers.  

North West Academies Trust is a successful multi-academy trust currently comprising of 10 schools across Cheshire and Shropshire. One of these schools is Acton Church of England Primary Academy, which is located nearby. 

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: “Nantwich is a very popular location for families to live and has been facing a growing demand for school places following new housing developments including Kingsley Fields.

“Our education team has been working together with existing schools and the community to plan for the new school and to meet the projected future demand for places.

“The funding of the school has, in part, come from developer contributions and its construction was one of the planning conditions for the development, so that children can be educated locally, with minimal travel for parents and carers.

“Children and young people have been involved throughout the process, telling us what matters to them, including the importance of the environment and outdoor space. I’m delighted to see that these have been incorporated into the design and specification of the building and external play areas.

“I look forward to working with North West Academies Trust, seeing how the construction progresses, alongside the teaching and support team who I’m sure will be ready to accept their first pupils next year.”

Steve Docking OBE, chief executive officer of North West Academies Trust, said: “We're delighted to have been selected to lead this exciting project. 

"Providing children with the best possible education is at the heart of every decision we make as a trust and we have planned very carefully to ensure that, when our very first pupils walk through the door, they will be given an excellent start to their school life.

"We are committed to making this school outstanding for all, and we are looking forward to working with the local community and all agencies involved to make this happen."

Pictured - Mark Bayley, head of service: education infrastructure and outcomes, Cheshire East Council (left) with Steve Docking OBE, chief executive officer of North West Academies Trust (right).