Opening a new free school
Ledsham Road Free School Presumption
Following the progress of the housing development on Ledsham Road in the Ellesmere Port West Planning Area, we have identified an increased need in primary school places and seek to establish a new 1.5 form entry (FE) 315 place, mainstream, mixed primary free school and 26 place nursery, for ages 3 to 11, as well as a ten place SEN Unit. It is proposed the new school and nursery would open at the earliest in September 2028.
The school building will be built in two phases, the first being a one FE (210 place) building with the ancillary spaces (such as hall, kitchen, dining etc.) for a 1.5 form entry/ 315 pupil place school, to open September 2028. The second phase will then proceed at the point in which pupil numbers determine it, this will add on the additional accommodation for the additional 0.5 form entry, 105 pupils.
The new school will be located within the Ledsham Road development. The school will primarily serve the families on that new development. It is planned, based on current forecasting, that the school will initially open at 0.5 FE to Reception and key stage 1 aged children in September 2028. The Published Admission Number (PAN) will be limited on opening and will increase in line with housing growth and increased pupil numbers. The SEN Unit will initially open as five places, up to KS1. The nursery will initially have limited intake at 13 places upon opening and will increase in-line with growth.
The new school, SEN Unit and nursery are currently in design and are awaiting planning permission, therefore the successful academy trust will not have the opportunity to influence the design of the new school. We welcome proposals from all potential academy trusts.
Free School Presumption Timetable (updated)
Stage one - Invitation for Proposals
| Council publish specification: National and local announcements using Department for Education (DfE) and CWAC website. | Monday 8 June 2026 |
| Closing date for applications. | Monday 3 August 2026 |
Stage two - Assessment
| Council informs DfE of all proposals received. | Early August 2026 |
| Council assesses proposals using DfE criteria. | August / September 2026 |
| Assessment panel of shortlisted proposers. | September / October 2026 |
| Recommendation to CWAC Cabinet Member for Children and Families and confirmation of preferred sponsor. | November 2026 |
| Council assessment and preferred sponsor submitted to the Regional Director, for the North West for consideration and decision. | Spring term 2027 |
Stage three - Decision
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The Regional Director (RD) for the North West (for the Secretary of State) will consider the Councils assessment and recommendations and decide which proposer is in the best position to take forward the new school. The RD will inform the Council and the successful proposer of the decision, and the Council will inform unsuccessful proposers. |
No specified timescale for this part of the process |
| New school opens (at the earliest) | September 2028 |
The Department for Education’s website further outlines the process.
To submit a proposal, you'll need to complete our application form and ensure to get this sent over to schoolorganisationandconsultations@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk no later than 10am Monday 3 August 2026, as applications received after this will not be considered.
Please refer to our specification when completing the application.
Contact us
If you would like further information or wish to discuss your application, please contact a member of our team:
- Vikki Williams (School Organisation and Transport Policy Manager): Vikki.williams@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
- Janine Smart (School Admissions and Capital Development Manager): Janine.smart@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can send over any queries through the dedicated inbox: schoolorganisationandconsultations@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
