In response to the new housing development at Chesterton Farm, now known as The Steadings, The Corinium Education Trust has been working closely with Gloucestershire County Council and Bathurst Development Limited to plan for the opening of a new primary school to serve the emerging community which will require additional primary school places.

The Steadings Primary School is now scheduled to open with a Reception class only in September 2025. It will then continue to grow incrementally, with Reception and Year 1 from September 2026 and Reception and Years 1 and 2 from September 2027.

We are currently consulting on the school’s draft Admissions Policy. This consultation opens on Wednesday 20 December 2023 for a period of 6 weeks and closes on Wednesday 31 January 2024

The Steadings Primary School will initially be hosted at Siddington C of E Primary School in purpose-built ‘legacy’ accommodation which is currently under construction. It is expected that the new school will move on to its permanent site on The Steadings residential development in either 2027 or 2028.

The Corinium Education Trust has always been very keen to provide a local solution. 

We are committed to improving the learning and life chances of children and young people in Cirencester and the South Cotswolds. The Corinium Education Trust’s current schools are all in close proximity to The Steadings and this will help us work collaboratively to support the development and growth of the new primary school: ‘Our aim is for the new primary school to become the beating heart of the new community. We will be working with residents of the new development and members of the existing communities around the new development to develop and establish a distinctive curriculum and positive ethos which will ensure all pupils will be able to thrive and progress seamlessly on to the next stage of their learning.’ Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO).
 
Chiquita Henson, Trust Lead (CEO) is a member of The Steadings Community Management Group and she continues to meet with headteachers and governors through the local Primary Place Planning Group. 

Chiquita Henson is also actively involved in Bathurst Development Ltd Education Liaison Group alongside Gloucestershire County Council. Through this group, she and the Trust’s wider team have been involved in shaping the accommodation for the new school, both temporary and permanent. She has visited other new schools to learn from their experience and has been exploring designs with architects, headteachers and pupils.

As a member of The Corinium Education Trust’s family of schools, The Steadings Primary School will:

•  Reflect the Trust’s high expectations;
• Deliver the National Curriculum;
• Adopt a research-informed and evidence-based approach;
• Raise standards of literacy and numeracy;
• Provide enrichment and memorable learning experiences;
• Challenge all children to achieve more.

 
When open, The Steadings Primary School will:

• Nurture a love of learning and promote creativity;
• Offer children and families high quality education in a dynamic learning environment;
• Assist families with childcare through its pre-school nursery, breakfast and afterschool clubs;
• Be a focal point for local residents and provide shared spaces for intergenerational learning and reflection for those of all faiths and none.

More information about The Steadings Primary School will be available in February 2024.