1. Notice is hereby given, in accordance with The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2013 (‘the Prescribed Alterations Regulations’) and the Education and Inspections Act 2006, that Hampshire County Council, Elizabeth II Court, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8UG intends to discontinue PENNINGTON INFANT SCHOOL, Priestlands Road, Pennington, Lymington, SO41 8HX (category of school – Community) and to establish a Voluntary Controlled primary school by enlarging PENNINGTON CHURCH OF ENGLAND JUNIOR SCHOOL, Priestlands Road, Pennington, Lymington, SO41 8HX with effect from 1 January 2026.

2. The closure of Pennington Infant School and the amalgamation with Pennington Church of England Junior School is being proposed following a request from the headteachers and the governing bodies of both schools. The combined numbers on roll for both schools at October 2024 census was 172 and it is because of falling pupil numbers at both schools that the amalgamation is proposed. The amalgamation will continue to provide local school places in line with pupil demand within an Ofsted rated “Good” school.

3. Pennington Infant School and Pennington Church of England Junior School share a site, and it is proposed to amalgamate the two schools to form a primary school, to be known as Pennington Church of England Primary School, catering for pupils from age 4-11 years utilising the existing junior school building. It is expected that adaptions will be required at an estimated cost of up to £100,000.

4. The primary school will provide up to 210 places across Year R to Year 6 and is sufficient to meet local demand. The school will admit up to 30 pupils into its relevant year of entry, Year R. Pupils will be admitted to the school in accordance with the local authority's admissions policy; this includes details of the criteria to be applied in the event of oversubscription.

5. Places will be available at Pennington Church of England Primary School for all pupils on roll at Pennington Infant School and Pennington Church of England Junior School when the newly created primary school opens on 1 January 2026. 

6. Applications to start Year R in September 2026 will open on 1 November 2025 and Pennington Church of England Primary School will be available as a preference.  There will be no Year 3 main round application process in September 2026 for the newly created primary school, as children in Year 2 will automatically progress into Year 3. 

7. Within four weeks from the date of publication of these proposals, any person may make comments on the proposal by sending them to Owain Hale-Heighway, Strategic Development Officer, Children’s Services Department, EII Court North, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG; e-mail: [email protected]

Contact:

Email: [email protected]