Public consultation on future of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Andover

Hampshire County Council has launched a non-statutory public consultation which runs until Monday, 10 November, and seeks views on a proposal to close the school from 13 February 2026. 

Smannell and Enham is a 105-place primary school for pupils aged four to 11, around one mile northeast of Andover. Despite its overall capacity, the school has seen a reduction in pupil numbers with just 24 children on roll as of October 2025. It follows a fall in the birth rate nationally over recent years.

Given the small number of pupils in the school, children of mixed ages are taught together across just two classes. Despite the school's work to strengthen its approach to the National Curriculum, this structure can make it more complex to deliver the curriculum in a way that meets the needs of all pupils.

Having been judged as ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in May 2024, the school has been advised that it must convert to an academy. However, these challenges have made it difficult to find an academy sponsor, with none yet identified. 

Like many small schools, Smannell and Enham has found it difficult to recruit and retain permanent staff. While school staff have worked hard to provide stability and consistency for pupils, this has resulted in some children experiencing staff changes within the last academic year. 

As school budgets are primarily based on the number of pupils on roll, the school faces additional pressures on its finances. As such, there are concerns that the school cannot be sustained financially or without impacting the quality of its educational provision.

As part of the consultation, parents, carers and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to share their views and ask questions at a public drop-in event at the school on Monday, 20 October between 3pm and 6pm. 

A report setting out the responses to the consultation and recommendations will be presented at a Decision Day in November 2025. At this stage, the County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, will decide whether to proceed to a statutory consultation (Public Notice). Should this go ahead, a final decision on the future of the school would be taken at a further Decision Day meeting before the end of the year. 

In the event of a school closure, the County Council would work with schools in the area to ensure there is other available local provision for children. The authority’s Admissions Team would be able to advise parents and support them with any queries about making in-year applications to other schools. Schools would then process any applications in line with statutory processes

For more information including FAQs, and for details of how to respond to the consultation, visit the County Council's website.