An academy trust has been selected to run a new primary school planned for the growing Basford East community near Weston and Crewe.
North West Academies Trust has received approval from the Secretary of State to operate the proposed mainstream free school, which is targeted to open in September 2028.
The school is planned to provide 210 primary places alongside a nursery with capacity for up to 30 children. It will form part of the Basford East development, a strategic site identified in the Cheshire East Local Plan.
New school to serve a growing community
Cheshire East Council said the school would provide education closer to home for families moving into the development, while helping to ease pressure on oversubscribed schools nearby and reduce additional journeys on local roads.
The council's school organisation team has led the project and worked with the Department for Education to secure a sponsor. Cheshire East Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places are available across the borough.
Councillor Emma Gilman, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for education and SEND, described the appointment as an important milestone for the development.
“This new school is eagerly anticipated and will become a vital part of the Basford East community. It represents a significant investment in the future of local children and families, ensuring access to high-quality education right at the heart of this growing development.”
She said North West Academies Trust had a strong track record and that the council would continue working with the trust as the project moved from development towards opening.
North West Academies Trust selected
North West Academies Trust currently comprises 14 schools across Cheshire and Shropshire. Its Basford East school would become the trust's 15th.
The trust is also due to open Kingsbourne Primary Academy in Nantwich at the beginning of the new academic year in September 2026.
Steve Docking OBE, chief executive of North West Academies Trust, said the organisation was delighted to have been selected and looked forward to working with the council, local families and the wider Crewe community.
“Opening a new school is a rare and exciting opportunity, and we look forward to working closely with Cheshire East Council, local families and the wider Crewe community to create a school where every child is encouraged to discover their talents and develop a love of learning.”
Further details about admissions and the construction timetable are expected as the project progresses towards its planned September 2028 opening.
The story details, quotations and artist's impression were supplied by Cheshire East Council for editorial publication.
