Final decision to be made on future of Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Andover

It follows a four-week statutory consultation on Hampshire County Council’s proposal to close the school from 27 March, 2026. A report outlining the responses to this consultation and recommending the school’s closure will be considered by the authority’s Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, at her upcoming Decision Day on Wednesday, 31 December.

It comes as pupil numbers at the school have continued to decline in recent years, with now just five children on roll despite an overall capacity for 105 pupils. This is the lowest number of children attending any Hampshire school. 

Having been judged as ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted in May 2024, Smannell and Enham has since been subject to an Academy Order, which is issued by the Government and instructs a school to convert to an academy. Despite ongoing efforts from the County Council, the Diocese of Winchester and the Department for Education, the school’s challenges have meant it has not been possible to find an academy sponsor to date. Other options such as federation with another school, which sees two or more schools operate under the same governing body, cannot be considered while the Academy Order remains in place.

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. Various County Council teams including the Hampshire Improvement and Advisory Service for schools (HIAS) have continued to provide strategic and operational support to the school throughout these challenges. However, the impact of this work has been limited due to staff changes in the school.

Given the small number of pupils now attending the school, children of mixed ages are taught together in one class. This structure makes it difficult to deliver the curriculum in a way that meets the needs of all pupils. As school budgets are primarily based on the number of pupils on roll, the school also faces exceptional pressures on its finances. 

Should Councillor Chadd approve the recommendation to close the school, the County Council would work with schools in the area to ensure there is other available local provision for children. For those parents and carers who would wish to choose a school with a religious character, sufficient places would be available in other local Church of England schools. 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.