Planning permission has been granted by the County Council for a 420-pupil school in the Hartland Village development, which when complete will provide 1,500 homes. This decision marks a significant step forward in addressing the growing educational needs of this local community, despite falling primary numbers elsewhere in Hart.
The new primary school will provide state-of-the-art facilities and a nurturing environment for students, ensuring they receive a high-quality education. Initially opening with places for 30 pupils in reception year, it will eventually provide 420 places for pupils aged four to 11, growing year on year, with potential for future expansion as the Hartland community continues to grow. The planned opening date, revised from 2026, aligns with the completion rates of new housing in the Hartland development. This timing ensures there will be sufficient numbers of local pupils and allows the school, at the time of opening, to be fully funded by the Department for Education.
Current pupil forecasts and housing numbers indicate that there will be sufficient secondary school capacity for many years in the local area.
Councillor Steve Forster, Executive Member for Education, said: “We are thrilled to move forward with the development of a new primary school in Hartland Village. This project reflects our commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for all children in Hampshire and keeping pace with areas of population growth.”
The school will feature modern classrooms, a well-equipped learning resource centre, and extensive outdoor play areas. Additionally, it will incorporate sustainable design elements to minimise its environmental impact.
The Circle Trust has been appointed to run and manage the school as an academy. Ginny Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer, said: “As an educational charity, The Circle Trust has one core purpose and that is to promote education for the common good. We are delighted to be invited to run the new Hartland Village Primary School. We see it as nothing but a privilege to work in such a special new community and with such an excellent Local Authority.”
The project is part of Hampshire County Council's broader initiative to enhance educational infrastructure across the region through its £500 million capital programme for schools. The three-year programme seeks to ensure that wherever possible, funding for approved projects is drawn from external sources including contributions from developers and central Government.