(UK) Hants: Council plans for 48 more SPED places; "demand continues to outstrip supply"
- Jan 9
- 1 min read
Jan 8, 2026, The News: Plans to create 48 extra specialist SEND school places approved as demand grows
Hampshire County Council has approved plans to create 48 additional resourced specialist school places, as pressure on provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) continues to grow.
The decision will see new and expanded resourced provisions introduced at four mainstream schools across the county, with places phased in from September 2026.
Of the 48 additional places, 40 will be newly created through the establishment of three new resourced provisions in Eastleigh, Andover and Winchester schools:
A further eight autism places will be created at Morelands Primary School in Crookhorn, Waterlooville, through the reconfiguration of existing specialist provision, increasing capacity for autistic pupils while reducing places for children with speech, language and communication needs.
Council officers say the expansion will help address rising demand linked to increasing numbers of EHCPs, while enabling more children to receive specialist support closer to home.
It is also expected to reduce reliance on independent specialist placements, which can involve long journeys and higher costs.
The plans were approved following a statutory consultation, during which no objections were received.
The expansion forms part of the council’s wider strategy to increase SEND capacity in Hampshire schools, as demand continues to outstrip supply ahead of the 2026/27 academic year.
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