Pre-planning consultation on the proposal for the expansion of the Waterloo school, Havant by 70 places by utilising former Peel Common Infant School, Gosport
Open until
This consultation will run from Monday 11 May to Monday 8 June 2026.
Hampshire County Council wishes to consult with you in advance of a joint proposal between Hampshire County Council and The Waterloo School, Waterlooville to expand the school by an additional 70 primary places for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs by utilising the former Peel Common Infant School site in Gosport. If approved, this provision would open in phases from September 2027.
There is a growing number of children in the Gosport area being identified with SEMH needs. This proposal seeks to address that demand by creating additional specialist school places, enabling pupils to access appropriate, high-quality specialist education. The priority need in the area is for a primary-age SEMH provision, which aligns with the successful model already delivered by The Waterloo School in the Havant area.
The proposal
The proposal is to expand The Waterloo School from September 2027 creating a satellite provision in Gosport for 70 primary aged pupils. The former Peel Common Infant School site in Gosport offers suitable accommodation that can be reconfigured, alongside significant building improvements, to support the new provision. This will include the creation of new parking and pupil drop off facilities.
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.
The pupils who would attend the new satellite provision would generally be from the local Gosport area. They would have Education Health Care (EHC) Plans and have complex SEMH needs meaning that they would find it difficult to manage within a mainstream school environment.
The Waterloo School is located in Waterlooville. The current agreed place number for the school, which caters for pupils aged 4-11, is 74 and this proposal is for an additional 70 pupils aged 4-11 phased onto the Gosport satellite site from September 2027.
In order to create a new SEN provision at the former Peel Common Infant School, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Your views
This consultation will run from Monday 11 May to Monday 8 June 2026.
A drop-in event where you will be able to discuss the building plans with County Council Officers will take place on Wednesday 3 June, Peel Common Primary School, The Drive, Rowner, Gosport, PO13 0QD between 3pm and 6pm.
If you wish to make a comment on the building works associated with the expansion of Waterloo School proposal, please write to Amanda Vaughan, Strategic Development Officer, Children’s Services Department, Elizabeth II Court, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UG or by email to: [email protected] by Monday 8 June 2026.
What happens after this consultation?
Officers will take into consideration all the consultation responses, prior to the submission of the planning application. You will have a further opportunity to comment on the school proposals should they proceed to the statutory planning stage.