Consultation: Proposed Expansion of Osborne School via Satellite Provision in Eastleigh

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Overview

Hampshire County Council and Osborne School, Winchester are inviting views in respect of a joint proposal between Hampshire County Council and Osborne School, Winchester to expand the school by an additional 60 secondary places for pupils with learning difficulties. This expansion would be utilising accommodation at the former Aviary Children’s Centre and Hampshire County Council Offices, Blackbird Road in Eastleigh (SO50 9JW) and their existing sites in Winchester. If approved this provision would open in phases from September 2027.

A Special School Satellite is an extension of a Special School, located away from its main site. It is fully managed and staffed by the special school and provides the same specialist support and curriculum. Satellite provisions help meet local demand for specialist places and allow pupils to access high-quality special education closer to home. Osborne School already has an established satellite provision for 40 pupils at Kings’ School, Winchester. The current agreed place number for Osborne school, which caters for pupils aged 11-19, is 224 across the main site and established satellite provision at Kings’ School in Winchester.

Children with learning difficulties may experience significant challenges in acquiring and applying basic academic skills, such as reading, writing, and numeracy. These difficulties often stem from cognitive processing issues that affect memory, attention, and problem-solving. Pupils with learning difficulties may require highly structured teaching approaches, repetition, and personalised support to access the curriculum. In a Special School setting, they benefit from small class sizes, differentiated learning, and targeted interventions that help build independence, confidence, and functional life skills. Many pupils also need support with communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation alongside their academic development.

The pupils who would attend the new satellite provision would generally be from the local Eastleigh area. They would have Education Health Care (EHC) Plans and have complex needs meaning that they would find it difficult to manage within a mainstream school environment.

The current agreed place number for Osborne school, which caters for pupils aged 11-19, is 224 across the main site and established satellite provision at Kings’ School in Winchester. This proposal is for an additional 60 pupils (secondary age 11-16) across all three sites with 50 phased onto the Eastleigh satellite site from September 2027. In order to create a new SEN provision at the former Aviary Children’s Centre and Hampshire County Council Offices, significant capital works will be required to update and reconfigure internal accommodation, provide specialist areas, ensure safeguarding for pupils and staff and create an appropriate parking and pick up/drop off area. Detailed feasibility work is currently being undertaken.

Please note that this consultation relates specifically to the proposal and principle to establish the satellite SEN provision. Further consultation will be held in relation to planning and building works when details are known and if approved to proceed.

Why this Expansion is Needed

There is a growing number of children in Hampshire with learning difficulties who require specialist support that cannot be met in mainstream settings. Expanding Osborne School through a satellite site will help meet this demand, reduce travel times for pupils, and ensure access to appropriate education within their local community.

What is Being Proposed

  • An additional 60 pupils (secondary age 11-16) across all three sites with 50 phased onto the Eastleigh satellite site from September 2027.
  • Pupils will be on roll at Osborne School and receive the same specialist curriculum and support as at the main site.
  • The former Aviary Children’s Centre and County Council Offices will be refurbished to include specialist areas, safeguarding measures, and appropriate facilities for pupils and staff.
  • Capital works will be funded through the Children’s Services Capital Programme.

Impact on the School

  • Help meet local demand for specialist places and allow pupils to access high-quality special education closer to home.
  • Additional staff will be employed, enhancing professional development and knowledge-sharing across the school.
  • The school will receive additional funding to support staffing and resources.

Consultation Timeline

  • Consultation period: 20 October to 24 November 2025
  • Drop-in session: Monday 17 November 2025 between 3:30pm to 6pm at the former Aviary Children’s Centre and Hampshire County Council Offices (SO50 9JW)
  • Next steps: Responses will be reviewed and a report will be presented to the Executive Member for Education in January 2026. If approved, a statutory notice will be published in spring 2026.
  • A final decision will be made by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services / Director of Children’s Services in spring 2026.

How to Share Your Views

You can share your views in the following ways:

  • Attend the drop-in session on Monday 17 November 2025
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Write to:
    Claire Campling
    SEN Service Manager
    Children’s Services
    Elizabeth II Court West
    Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG

Further information

Please see the following link for frequently asked questions (FAQs)

FAQs for Osborne School Satellite Provision

Please see the following link for an indicative site plan of the former Aviary Children’s Centre and Hampshire County Council Offices

Aviary – indicative site plan

All responses must be received by 24 November 2025.