Consultation: Proposed Expansion of The Waterloo School via Satellite Provision in Gosport

Overview

Hampshire County Council and The Waterloo School, Waterlooville are inviting views on a proposal to expand the school by an additional 70 primary places for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, utilising the former Peel Common Infant School site in Gosport. 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.

Children with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs may experience significant difficulties in managing their emotions, behaviour, and relationships. Pupils with SEMH needs may struggle with anxiety, emotional regulation, and social interaction, and may require consistent adult support to feel safe and secure. They often benefit from structured routines, therapeutic approaches, and targeted interventions to develop resilience, self-awareness, and coping strategies.

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.

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 SEMH needs who require specialist support that cannot be met in mainstream settings. Expanding The Waterloo 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

• A 70-place satellite provision for pupils with SEMH needs at the former Peel Common Infant School site.
• Pupils will be on roll at The Waterloo School and receive the same specialist curriculum and support as at the main site.
• The former Peel Common Infant School site 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

• The expansion will allow more pupils from the local area to access specialist education.
• 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.
• The main site in Waterlooville will continue to operate as usual, with no changes to its current provision.

Consultation Timeline

• Consultation period: 20 October to 24 November 2025
• Drop-in session: Thursday 6 November 2025 between 3:30pm to 6pm at the former Peel Common Infant School site.
• 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 February 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 Thursday 6 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 the Waterloo School Satellite Provision

Please see the following link for an indicative site plan of the former Peel Common Infant School

Peel Common – Indicative site plan

All responses must be received by 24 November 2025.