New Primary School in Chester Handed Over to Trust Ahead of Opening
Kings Moat Community Primary School in Chester has been officially handed over to the Sandstone Trust, set to open for pupils in September.
By Chester Standard
Kings Moat Community Primary School in Chester has been officially handed over to the Sandstone Trust, ahead of its opening to pupils in September. The formal handover from Cheshire West and Chester Council took place on July 8, following the completion of construction earlier this month.
Located within the Kings Moat Garden Village, the school is part of a larger 1,300-home development on the southern edge of Chester, designed to serve the growing community.
Councillor Adam Langan, cabinet member for children and young people at Cheshire West and Chester Council, expressed excitement about the handover, stating, "It’s an exciting moment to hand over this brand-new school to the Sandstone Trust ready for the children of the area to be welcomed in September. The project has run smoothly, finishing ahead of schedule. I wish the headteacher, teachers and support staff all the best for the years to come and hope the children who attend truly thrive."
The school was constructed by Wynne Construction on behalf of the council and will be operated by Sandstone Trust, which currently manages four other schools. Jason Lowe, chief executive officer of Sandstone Trust, remarked, "Reaching this handover is a very proud moment for all of us. We have worked hard to create a school that really serves this community, and it is great to see it finally ready. We are looking forward to opening our doors in September, and it is brilliant to now be at the stage where we can focus on welcoming our first families through the door."
With construction completed ahead of schedule, Graham Dickson, senior contracts manager at Wynne Construction, noted, "We’re very pleased to have reached this stage. It’s been a great collaborative effort with the council and the trust to deliver a high-quality building on time. With the main construction work now behind us, we’re just focusing on those final finishing touches to ensure the site is perfect for the staff and pupils come September."
The school will initially open as a half-form entry, welcoming reception and Key Stage 1 pupils in its first year, with plans to expand to a full one-form entry, offering 210 places and the potential to grow to 315 pupils as demand increases. A nursery will also open in September, providing 13 places.
Ruth Cadwallader, headteacher at Kings Moat Community Primary School, shared her enthusiasm, stating, "It’s a wonderful moment to officially get the keys to this fantastic building. We have a clear vision for the school, and the environment we have here will certainly help us achieve that. Our focus is now on the practical preparations; we’re excited to welcome families to our parent information evenings and begin getting to know the children who will be joining us. Through a programme of transition sessions over the summer, we’ll ensure every child feels ready to start this exciting new chapter with us."
Updates for residents and families are expected throughout the summer as the school prepares for its opening day in September.