Seven Hampshire schools could undergo major building works as part of a ten-year Government programme to ensure that school buildings are fit for the future.
Three primary schools, two secondary schools and two special schools were all included in the announcement by the Department for Education (DfE), which has provisionally outlined a fourth round of schools to be prioritised for works under its £1bn School Rebuilding Programme.
Councillor Roz Chadd, Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “We are committed to raising standards across our educational estate and ensuring that children in Hampshire have access to high-quality learning environments that are well-equipped to meet their needs. We continue to make the case on the national stage, for ongoing investment and are delighted to see seven of our schools named in the DfE’s latest School Rebuilding Programme announcement.
“We very much look forward to working with each of the schools and the DfE in the coming years to establish the next steps and explore the potential opportunities. Any future plans will of course be consulted on with parents, school staff and the wider communities in each area.”
The Schools Rebuilding Programme was first launched by the DfE in 2020 and carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and sixth-form colleges, with buildings prioritised according to their condition.
The seven Hampshire schools that have been provisionally prioritised in the latest round are:
Orchard Lea Infant School, Fareham
Horndean Church of England Junior School, Horndean
Marchwood Church of England Infant School, Marchwood
The Hurst School Secondary School, Baughurst
Cranbourne Secondary School, Basingstoke
Lakeside School Special School, Chandlers Ford
Baycroft School Special School, Stubbington
These will join Orchard Lea Junior School in Fareham, which was announced in a previous round of the programme.
Jane Aplin, Headteacher of Cranbourne, commented: “This is wonderful news for the staff, students and the whole community. These buildings have been so well used over the years – by generations of primary and secondary children, as well as many community groups. We are so excited to have the chance to use new building technologies. This funding will reduce our carbon footprint considerably – a truly practical way to inspire our children and show how we can build sustainably for a better future.”
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