Local MP Aphra Brandreth (MP for Chester South and Eddisbury) joined representatives from Sandstone Trust, Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Wynne Construction for an early look inside the new Kings Moat Community Primary School in Chester on Friday 24 April 2026. 

The visit offered a first glimpse inside the almost-finished school building, which remains on track to open its doors to pupils this September 2026. 

Kings Moat Community Primary School is being built at the heart of the Kings Moat Garden Village, a vibrant new community of around 1,300 homes on the southern edge of Chester. The school will sit centrally within the development, close to new playing fields, 3G pitches and a public park, supporting the growing local neighbourhood. 

The project is being delivered by Wynne Construction on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council and will be operated by Sandstone Trust, an experienced local multi-academy trust that already manages four schools in the area. 

The school will be delivered in two phases. Phase one will provide a 1 Form Entry (FE) school for 210 pupils, together with ancillary facilities, such as the hall, kitchen and dining areas, designed to accommodate a future 1.5 FE (315 pupil) school. This phase is scheduled to open in September 2026. Phase two will be implemented once pupil numbers indicate the need for expansion and will deliver the additional accommodation required for a further 0.5 FE, equating to 105 additional pupil places. 

Kings Moat Community Primary School will initially open at 0.5 FE for Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils in September 2026. The Published Admission Number (PAN) will be restricted at opening and will increase incrementally in line with housing development and rising pupil demand. The nursery will also open with a reduced capacity of 13 places, with provision expanding in line with future growth. 

Construction began in March 2025 and has remained on track, with the main building structure now complete and internal work well underway. Externally, the school’s sports pitches and surrounding areas are being readied for the start of the new academic year. 

During the visit, Aphra Brandreth MP and guests toured classrooms and shared spaces with Ruth Cadwallader, the school’s headteacher, who spoke about preparations for welcoming the first pupils this autumn. The group also heard from Graham Dickson, Senior Contracts Manager at Wynne Construction, who outlined the latest milestones and final steps toward handover to the trust in July 2026. 

 Aphra Brandreth, MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, said, “It’s great to see the progress at Kings Moat Community Primary School. This new school is a vital part of the development, giving families access to high-quality education right on their doorstep. Getting this balance right, homes alongside vital infrastructure like a fantastic local school, is so important for building a strong community.”  

Cllr Adam Langan, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “This project is a clear example of our ongoing investment in high-quality education and the infrastructure needed to support Cheshire’s growing communities. Kings Moat will provide modern facilities for children to learn and thrive, right at the centre of the new Garden Village development. It’s fantastic to see the progress and the positive partnership that has delivered it.”  

Graham Dickson, Senior Contracts Manager at Wynne Construction, said: “We’re extremely proud to be part of the team shaping this fantastic new school for Chester. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with both the Council and Sandstone Trust to deliver a high-quality, sustainable building that will serve the local community for years to come.”  

Ruth Cadwallader, Headteacher of Kings Moat Community Primary School, said: “Every stage of the build brings us closer to opening our doors and welcoming our first pupils, which is incredibly exciting. Kings Moat will be a warm, inclusive, and forward-thinking school where children can thrive. We’re delighted to have appointed a fantastic team of teaching staff, and I’m really looking forward to introducing them to the community over the coming months.”  

Jason Lowe, Chief Executive Officer of Sandstone Trust, said: “It’s great to see Kings Moat Community Primary School taking shape. Our partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council and Wynne Construction has been strong, and we’re creating a school at the heart of this new community. We are really looking forward to welcoming our first pupils in September.”  

Following the visit, the partners will continue to share updates as work progresses toward completion and new staff appointments are made during the summer. 

For more information about Kings Moat Community Primary School, visit the Cheshire West and Chester Council webpage: Kings Moat Primary School | Cheshire West and Chester Council or follow the school’s Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/KingsMoatCP