Guillemont Junior School celebrates new autism provision

Staff, students, and council leaders gathered this January to celebrate the opening of brand-new specialist facilities at Guillemont Junior School in Farnborough for children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

Jan 31 2025

Photo shows a group of children and councillors as the ribbon is cut at the opening

This new accommodation, funded by Hampshire County Council, helps meet the growing need for special education for children with ASC allowing them to work with and alongside mainstream classes. 

The £900,000 extension adds to the school's existing facilities for children with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN), and includes a classroom, sensory room, group room, toilets, and an outdoor play area. 

The new design includes rooflights for natural light and ventilation, helping to create a calm environment, while the outdoor space can also be used for teaching and has sensory elements for the children. 

Commenting at the opening, Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “It’s a fantastic new space, specially designed with the children’s needs at its heart. The project forms part of the County Council’s ongoing commitment to increasing the number of special needs school places across the county, including in our mainstream schools.” 

Executive Headteacher, Paul Shakespeare, added that all families loved the new resource and that their children were happy, settled within the inclusive environment and making great progress.  

He said: “The new resourced provision is specifically designed (by the previous Executive Headteacher, Denis Foster) to meet the needs of the children which enables them to have more opportunities, full access to their learning, and be fully included within the school community. It is a privilege to be a part of seeing these children flourish within such a bespoke provision and the school is confident that many children will benefit from this resource for years to come.”