Former Chester city centre police building could become a ‘free’ primary school

Feb 2 2012 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

A SECOND city centre ‘free’ school plan has emerged.

Two ambitious Chester headteachers, who do not want to be named for fear of unsettling their current schools, are behind the proposal.

Their preferred site for the primary school would be former police building St Martin’s Lodge – next to the HQ building – and it could be up and running by September 2013.

The news comes after the Chronicle reported last week how plans had been unveiled for a free primary school in one of Chester Cathedral’s historic buildings in Abbey Square.

Like the Cathedral proposal, the headteachers’ free school funding application will be submitted later this month, under the name North West Academies.

The school would be named St Martin’s Lodge and cater for pupils aged 4-11, with lessons running from 9am-4pm for classes of 25 children. It would follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which is popular in Europe.

A spokesman for the scheme said: “Our project team has a wealth of educational expertise and we don’t see why we can’t provide exactly the same opportunities as fee-paying schools for everybody – not just those that can afford it.

“Based on our knowledge and from recent research, this type of school is exactly what parents want and what children need.

“Juggling childcare when both parents work, or if you are single, is not easy.”

He added: “I have no doubt that the curriculum we have chosen is the best for the 21st century.

“The world is constantly changing and our inquiry-based teaching and learning will encourage the children to open their minds and really absorb information.

“This works for all curriculum subjects but we will obviously retain a strong emphasis on literacy, maths and ICT as these are the building blocks for the children’s future success.”

St Martin’s Lodge is the preferred school site but other options are being explored.

Upmarket pub chain Brunning and Price has applied for planning and listed building consent to convert St Martin’s Lodge into a food-led establishment.

However, any sale of the building – valued at £1.5m and owned by Liberty Properties who built HQ – would be dependent on permission being granted.

Therefore the building remains on the market.

If you want to find out more, email info@northwestacademies.co.uk.

A community consultation event over The University Cathedral School has been organised for Monday at 7pm. It is an invitation-only event for community groups and takes place at the Abbey Square site.