Essex County Council
Invitation to Potential Sponsors to Apply to Run
A New 210 Place Primary School (with co-located 56 place nursery) on The St Luke's Park Development, Runwell, Essex
On 22 March 2021, Essex County Council published a specification inviting proposals to sponsor a new Primary Free School in new buildings on the St Luke's Park Development, Runwell, Wickford, with a planned opening date of September 2022. We would therefore like to hear from providers who can demonstrate their passion and ability to achieve high standards, performance and outcomes for all children within the primary school system (and early years if applicable). A specification inviting proposals is now available on the County Council's website, and can be accessed by visiting 

 New sponsors will need to be assessed by the DfE through the normal sponsor approval route and will, therefore, need to make a separate application to the DfE to become a sponsor. Contact with the DfE should be made at the outset and before submitting a formal proposal to the Local Authority. To apply to become a sponsor please visit

If you would like further information on the process please contact Ian Bateman on 03330131071 or

Interested Sponsors are also invited to submit a separate application to deliver Early Years places at a new 56 place co-located nursery, please email 

 for this additional application form. Proposals should be submitted to Essex County Council for the attention of Ian Bateman, School Organisation Support Officer, by no later than 5pm on 17 May 2021.
For more information go to