Consultation on the proposal to expand Hollywater School by 20 places from September 2025

Hollywater School and Hampshire County Council would like to hear your views on the proposal to expand the school by an additional 20 places, phased over 2 years, for children and young people with severe learning difficulties (SLD) from September 2025. Children with severe learning difficulties (SLD) have significant intellectual or cognitive impairments. This has a major effect on their ability to participate in the school curriculum without support. They may also have associated difficulties in mobility and co-ordination, communication and perception and acquisition of self-help skills. Pupils with severe learning difficulties will need support in all areas of the curriculum. They may also require teaching of self-help, independence and social skills. Some pupils may use sign and symbols, but most will be able to hold simple conversations and gain some literacy skills.

The consultation will run from Friday 22 November 2024 to Friday 20 December 2024.

Why do you need to expand Hollywater School?

Hampshire County Council has a duty to make sure there are enough school places within the county for those children and young people who have complex special educational needs that cannot be met within a mainstream school setting. The need to provide schools places in Special Schools across Hampshire has been increasing. Hampshire County Council is committed to expanding successful provision where possible to meet demand. This proposal will provide much needed specialist educational accommodation to meet current and future demand. Hollywater School is successfully meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and has the site available and leadership expertise to expand to encompass catering for extra pupils.

What building works will be taking place?

Additional classroom space is required in order to expand the school by 20 places. The proposal is to install a two-classroom modular building to provide accommodation for the Post-16 pupils. This will create additional accommodation in the main school for additional pupils aged 4 to 16 years. Some minor works may be required to these spaces. These works will allow the School to expand by 20 places. The proposed cost of the works is in the region of £800,000. SEN High Needs Provision capital is available to fund these costs.

When will the building works start and how will you ensure the health and safety of pupils attending the school whilst the works are taking place?

It is planned that the building works, to create the facilities at the Hollywater School site, will be complete for September 2025 with majority of work happening in the summer term and holidays. Health and safety of children, staff and visitors is paramount. The County Council works with construction partners who have significant experience of working on school sites. A detailed health and safety plan will be drawn up with the school.

What will be the impact on pupils at Hollywater School?

The expansion would allow the school to admit more pupils into the school from the local area meaning that it helps to better serve the local community. Further school staff will be employed meaning that pupils will benefit from staff sharing knowledge and building on their continuous professional development.

Will the school receive additional funding due to the numbers increasing?

Hollywater School will receive additional funding based on the increase in number of pupils on their roll. This will provide the additional staffing and resources required.

What happens after this consultation?

This consultation will run from Friday 22 November 2024 to Friday 20 December 2024. Officers will then consider the consultation responses, received in writing, before deciding whether the proposal should continue to the formal publication stage. If so, a statutory public notice will be published, setting out the Local Authorities intent to increase the capacity of the school. It is anticipated that this will be published in February 2025. After the date of publication, there will be a four-week period in which any representations can be made. After the conclusion of this period, the Local Authority will decide whether to proceed with the proposal. It is anticipated that a decision will be made in June 2025.

Will I have the opportunity to discuss the proposal and ask questions?

A drop-in session where you will be able to discuss the proposal will take place on Monday 2 December between 3:30pm and 6pm at Hollywater School.

If you are unable to email or visit the above website and wish to make a comment then please email sendcommissioning@hants.gov.uk or write to:

Claire Campling

SEN Service Manager

Children’s Services

1 st Floor, Elizabeth II Court West,

Winchester

Hampshire

SO23 8UG

All comments must be received by Friday 20 December 2024.

How can my views be heard?

We will consider all responses received:

• In person at the drop in date Monday 2 December between 3:30pm and 6pm at Hollywater School.

• Via e-mail sendcommissioning@hants.gov.uk

• Via letter

The closing date for responses is Friday 20 December 2024