Multi-million pound project to expand SEND provision
The £2.36 million proposal's been approved by Hampshire County Council
A multimillion-pound project to expand the special educational needs (SEN) provision in Hampshire schools has been approved.
The £2.36 million proposal approved by Hampshire County Council on March 12th will see the creation of 46 new places by using spare spaces at four schools.
The plan will convert surplus space into dedicated SEND spaces for children with autism and social, emotional, and mental health needs.
This will happen at Poulner Junior School in Ringwood, Crofton Anne Dale Junior School in Fareham, Hamble Primary School in Eastleigh, and Stanmore Primary School in Winchester.
Existing areas in the schools will be refurbished to provide new classrooms, calm rooms, small-group and therapy spaces, and enclosed outdoor play areas.
Most provisions will be based in the main school buildings, while Hamble Primary will use an existing modular building.
The work is subject to planning consent, with decisions expected in May 2026.
Separate planning applications for each school will be submitted in March.
The council says the new SEND provision will help manage the pressure created by the rising number of education, health, and care plans maintained by the local authority.
As of January 2026, there were 20,721 maintained EHCPs in the county, with the number forecast to reach around 28,000 by 2030-31 if no action is taken.
Cabinet member for education, Cllr Steve Forster, said: "Using spare capacity that is coming due to the low pupil numbers is sensible.
"This also aligns closely with the plans the Government recently set out in its proposed SEND reforms, announced last month."
SEND provision to be open in phases from September 2026 in the following schools:
- Crofton Anne Dale Junior School, Fareham - 12 additional places for children aged 7-11 with autism
- Poulner Junior School, New Forest - 12 additional places for children aged 7-11 with autism
- Hamble Primary School, Eastleigh - 12 additional places for children aged 4-11 with autism
- Stanmore Primary School, Winchester - 10 additional places for children aged 4-11 with social, emotional and mental health needs