ST MARTIN’S Academy will be a school that ‘caters for the modern family’, according to the two experienced education leaders behind the project.

Delamere Primary Academy headteacher Steve Docking and Ofsted inspector Iain Colledge, who is director of a business dedicated to international school start-ups and development, will run the free school through their company North West Academies (NWA).

It will be open to all children aged 4-11, with no more than 25 pupils in each year group, and follow the International Baccalaureate curriculum which is popular in Europe.

St Martin’s will be open from 8am-6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, to help working parents and those who need continued school support beyond term time.

When it opens its doors next year – either at a site in the city centre or just outside – it will initially cater for reception age children.

More than 50 parents have already expressed an interest in sending their children to the school.

Mr Docking, who will still remain as headteacher at Delamere, said: “Our school will offer educational provision which is truly inclusive for all children.

“As a company we believe outstanding education is a right not a privilege.

“St Martin’s Academy will be in a school where access for the city centre is easy and where we can guarantee smaller class sizes than almost any other maintained primary school – a model we currently promote in our own schools.

“NWA will work in partnership with the local community to ensure that they get the primary school that Chester truly deserves, meeting the needs of all learners within it.”

For more information about St Martin’s Academy email info@northwestacademies.co.uk.