Consultation on the future of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Smannell, Andover

Consultation on the future of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Smannell, Andover

Following discussions between Hampshire County Council, Diocese of Winchester and the full Governing Body of the school a decision has been made to open an initial phase of consultation with you on the potential closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from Friday 13 February 2026. This consultation will run from Monday 13 October to Monday 10 November 2025.

Further information, including the reasons for this consultation, the scheduled drop-in information events and details on how you can comment can be found on the Hampshire County Council website at:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations/smannell-and-enham-cofe-primary

The Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Lead Member, has approved a public consultation on the proposed closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from 13 February 2026. The Local Authority is required to follow Department for Education guidelines for any significant school changes, including closure. Further information and FAQs are available here:

https://documents.hants.gov.uk/consultation/SmannellandEnhamPrimary-FAQs.pdf

The Consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to seek the view of all stakeholders on the proposed closure of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School from 13 February 2026. The decision-making process is outlined below:

This initial non-statutory consultation will run from Monday 13 October to Monday 10 November 2025, including a drop-in event, detailed below.

A report setting out the consultation responses received will be taken to the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services in November 2025 to decide if the proposal should continue to the statutory consultation stage.

If approved, a statutory Public Notice would be published for a period of four weeks during which representations can be made to the Local Authority. This will likely run from Friday 21 November to Friday 19 December 2025. If, at this stage, a decision is taken to proceed with the closure, a report would be taken to the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services for final approval.

How to take part in the consultation:

A drop-in event has been arranged and will provide an opportunity for parents/carers/stakeholders to raise their views directly with council officers.

The drop-in is to be held:

Monday 20 October 2025, 3pm to 6pm at Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Smannell, Andover, SP11 6JJ

Comments on the proposal can also be received by emailing strategicplanningunit@hants.gov.uk or by writing to:

Owain Hale-Heighway, Strategic Development Officer, Children’s Services Department, EII Court, Winchester, SO23 8UG by Monday 10 November 2025.