Funding approved for new SEND school places

Hampshire County Council is moving ahead with plans to create 157 new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) places.

The authority said the extra places were needed to meet a growing demand in the number of pupils needing support through an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

Under the plans, The Hamble School would receive a new building for pupils with autism, Wyvern College in Fair Oak would have a new SEND support space, and Wavell School in Farnborough would gain an adapted building for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

The council said it had approved spending on the projects, which were also subject to planning permission where appropriate.

The council said final approval had also been given to create a resourced provision for 12 autistic pupils at Hamble Primary School from September using spare space at the site.

Plans for a statutory consultation to expand The Waterloo School, Havant, by creating a new site at the former Peel Common Infant School in Gosport were also given the go-ahead.

If agreed, it would create 70 additional specialist SEMH places and open in phases from September 2027.

Plans were also approved to press on with statutory consultations for new autism specific resourced provisions at three mainstream schools.

• Crofton Dale Junior School, Fareham – 12 places (ages seven-11)

• Fair Oak Infant School, Eastleigh – nine places (ages four-seven)

• Poulner Junior School, New Forest – 12 places (ages seven-11)

All three schools are set to open in phases from September 2026.

The council said a statutory consultation on establishing a resourced provision for pupils with SEMH needs at Hiltingbury Junior School, Eastleigh will also take place.

The 12 places could open in phases for pupils aged seven to 11 from January 2027.