Opened in September this year, the school now serves the area’s Wellesley housing development, alongside The Cambridge Primary School which Hampshire County Council opened in 2018.
Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, recently joined a special ceremony to celebrate the new school, with proceedings led by HM Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson Esq.
In honour of Aldershot’s long military history, the event was also attended by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Macpherson, Commander of the Aldershot Garrison and service personnel from the garrison, with a welcome guest appearance from Seamus the Irish wolfhound, the official regimental mascot of the Irish Guards.
It follows a recent event marking the official opening of Hounsome Fields Primary School in Basingstoke, which also opened in September. It forms part of the County Council’s ongoing investment in new school places to support growing communities across the county and ensure that all Hampshire children can access high-quality education close to home.
Councillor Forster commented: “This event is an important opportunity for everyone involved in the delivery of Stanhope Primary School to come together and acknowledge the scale of what we have achieved. From our Property Services team which designed and project managed the build and our contractor Morgan Sindall which delivered it on the ground, to our Academy Trust partners, school staff, the local community and of course, the school’s brilliant children who now complete the final picture – we are all part of something very special.
“The building itself is quite simply remarkable, and it is fantastic to see the pupils here already flourishing in their exceptional surroundings. They are just the first of generations to come whose early lives will be shaped by this school, and I look forward to watching its legacy grow over the coming years.”
Stanhope Primary School is run by Engage Enrich Excel Academies (EEEA) and has capacity for up to 420 pupils. It also includes a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Resourced Provision, due to open in phases from September 2026, for eight children with social, emotional and mental health needs. Resourced Provisions are specialist environments based within mainstream schools and allow children with additional needs to receive the tailored support they require while also accessing all the benefits of mainstream education. The school is currently operating with two classes of Reception children and will grow incrementally each academic year, in line with the County Council’s sustainable approach to opening new schools.
Set over two-storeys, the £12.5 million building has been designed to high environmental and energy efficiency standards and includes 14 classrooms, a hall, studio, SEN Resourced Provision, external play areas and two grass sports playing fields.
David Harris, Chief Executive of Engage Enrich Excel Academies, said: “What an inspiring milestone. The opening of Stanhope Primary School celebrates what’s possible when we belong, respect, and empower each other. My sincere thanks to Hampshire County Council for their vision and to Morgan Sindall for creating a truly world-class learning environment. Together, we have built more than a school; we have built a place where children, staff, and the community can truly thrive.”
A third new school, Newlands Primary School, also opened in September and serves the West of Waterlooville housing development alongside Berewood Primary School. Both schools are run by the University of Chichester Academy Trust.