Boost for SEN education in Hampshire

Plans have taken a step forward for more than 80 new special needs places to be created in schools across Hampshire.

At her Decision Day earlier today, Councillor Juliet Henderson, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, approved funding that will make way for nine extra places at Fair Oak Infant School in Eastleigh for children with autism, from January 2027.

This comes alongside her agreement to consult on the creation of new ‘Inclusion Bases’ at six schools to provide a further 72 new places for children with autism and will open in phases from the 2027/28 school year.

These are at:

Denmead Junior School, in Denmead near Waterlooville – 12 additional places
Knightwood Primary School, Eastleigh – 12 additional places
The Henry Cort Community College, Fareham – 15 additional places (these will be based at the school’s new site in North Whiteley from next year)
Castle Hill Infant School Basingstoke – 9 additional places
Castle Hill Primary School, Basingstoke – 12 additional places
Church Crookham Junior School, Hart – 12 additional places

Inclusion Bases, formerly called Resourced Provisions, are specialist environments based within mainstream schools. Funding to carry out the work is available via the Government’s High Needs fund which supports children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).

Councillor Henderson said: “Increasing the specialist support within our own mainstream settings remains a key priority. This approach is enabling many more children with special needs to access all the positive benefits of mainstream education, while continuing to receive the additional tailored support they require. As well as giving children the very best chance to thrive in their own communities, projects like these also minimise travel distances and transport costs and reduce our reliance on very expensive independent and non-maintained settings.”

The £690,000 project at Fair Oak Infant School will refurbish an existing modular building to create a safe, supportive and fully equipped environment including two classrooms, a sensory room and a new outdoor play area. The external improvements are subject to planning consent, with a decision expected in October. Providing approval is granted, work will start on site in November this year and is expected to complete in May 2027.

Most of the proposed Inclusion Bases will be created, subject to final approval, by repurposing existing surplus accommodation. Many of the projects will also include their own dedicated external play areas.

Following Councillor Henderson’s approval, Public Notices will be published on the County Council’s website in the autumn term allowing local families, residents and others interested in the six proposals to share their feedback.

The plans come as demand for specialist provision continues to rise across Hampshire and follow a new landmark plan launched earlier this year to promote greater inclusion in the county’s mainstream schools.