Basford East, near Weston, Crewe - free school presumption process

Cheshire East Council is excited to announce the development of a new primary school in Basford East, near Weston, Crewe and is inviting applications from Academy Trusts to run the school.

Key dates

Application launch: 2 February 2026

Engagement event: 1pm, 12 February 2026, online via Microsoft Teams

Submission deadline: midday, 16 March 2026

Targeted school opening: September 2028

Background

The Basford East development is a strategic site within the Cheshire East Local Plan for up to 850 new dwellings with the inclusion of a 1 Form of Entry primary school. The proposed new school also includes a new nursery for up to 30 places.

As the strategic commissioner for of school places, Cheshire East Council has a statutory duty to ensure a sufficiency of school places for children resident in its area and a commitment to allow local children to attend their local school wherever possible. These additional places will be provided by the establishment of a new 1 Form of Entry primary school which is due to open in September 2028.

The new provision aims to provide school places for children in the heart of the new community. This will lessen pressures on oversubscribed schools in the local area and will also aim to reduce the need to travel and therefore alleviate additional traffic.

Proposal requirements

Cheshire East is undertaking the Department for Education free school presumption process which enables us to identify and obtain agreement for a new school sponsor under Section 6A of the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

We are inviting expressions of interest from Academy Trusts interested in sponsoring the new 210 place primary school at this location. Academies wishing to express and interest in the operation of the new primary school should do so by completing the application form.

Applicants may provide additional information to support their response to any section of their application.

Upon completion, applications should be submitted via email to newschool@cheshireeast.gov.uk by the closing date of midday, 16 March 2026 together with a short executive summary (maximum two sides A4).

Application documents

The application form (Annex B) should be used, in conjunction with the published specification (Annex A) and associated documents. All applicants should use this form to provide all the necessary information and evidence for their proposal.

Annex A - Specification (PDF, 1.5MB)

Appendix 1 - Summary of Consultation Feedback (PDF, 193KB)

Appendix 2 - Equality Impact Assessment (PDF, 309KB)

Annex B - Application Form (MS Word, 177KB)

Annex C - Model Criteria (PDF, 314KB)

Financial Information Form - contact us directly via newschool@cheshireeast.gov.uk to request a copy of this form for completion.

If you have any issues accessing any of the documents, require further information or wish to discuss your application, contact newschool@cheshireeast.gov.uk.

The application window to express an interest in becoming the sponsor of the new school runs from 2 February 2026 until midday on 16 March 2026.

Engagement event

An engagement event for potential sponsors will be held to provide an update on the project, a briefing on the application process and to answer any questions.

The event will be held online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 12 February at 1pm. To register your interest in this event and request the link for the meeting, email newschool@cheshireeast.gov.uk with the name of your Trust and details of attendees and we will forward the information.