Expanding our presence in Cheshire with Halliard Trust Catering

Chartwells X Cheshire Schools 2

We have proudly secured catering contracts with five schools within the Halliard Trust, building further on our growing presence in Cheshire.

The mobilisation follows the closure of the schools’ previous council-run school meal service in April 2025. With support from the Trust’s central team, the five affected schools entered a competitive tender process – ultimately selecting us for its pupil-focused offer and proven capability in delivering high-quality, tailored school food provision.

The five Halliard Trust schools – Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery, Adlington Primary School, Gawsworth Primary School, Nether Alderley Primary School, and Whirley Primary School – join a growing number of schools and Trusts across Cheshire that have recently chosen us as their catering partner. This includes eight schools within the Chester Diocesan Academies Trust, which we secured contracts in April 2025.

Lisa Priestley, Managing Director at Chartwells, said: “We are proud to support the Halliard Trust and deliver a service that not only meets high operational standards but also contributes meaningfully to pupil wellbeing and educational outcomes. We remain committed to supporting the long-term success of the education catering sector and to working in partnership with our growing number of partner schools to nourish learning through nutritious food and impactful food education.”

The new partnership has already delivered immediate benefits, with pupils enjoying the varied, nutritious, and engaging menus. We also offer award-winning Beyond the Chartwells Kitchen sessions – curriculum-linked workshops that help pupils at our partner schools understand where food comes from and how to make better choices for their health and for the planet – supporting both wellbeing and learning.

Donna Lewis, Headteacher at Broken Cross Primary Academy and Nursery, said: “We’re really pleased with how smoothly the transition to Chartwells has gone. The support from our Trust’s central team has been invaluable in ensuring everything was in place from day one. For many of our children, particularly those entitled to free school meals, a hot, nutritious lunch is vital – and it’s reassuring to know they’re receiving high-quality meals in a welcoming environment.”

As we continue to expand our footprint in Cheshire and beyond, the mobilisation across the Halliard Trust schools serves as a strong example of our ability to meet growing demand in the sector while staying focused on our purpose: nourishing young minds to help them thrive in the classroom and beyond.