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 both RIDERS INFANT SCHOOL, Kingsclere Avenue, Leigh Park, Havant, PO9 4RY (category of school – Community) and RIDERS JUNIOR SCHOOL, Kingsclere Avenue, Leigh Park, Havant, PO9 4RY (category of school – Community) and change the age-range of PARK COMMUNITY SCHOOL, Middle Park Way, Leigh Park, Havant, PO9 4BU (category of school – Community) to include a primary provision and form an all-through community school, with effect from 1 September 2026.
2. The above is being proposed following a request from the governing bodies of all schools. Due to falling Year R numbers, the proposed amalgamation to form an all-through school presents an opportunity to secure a more settled pupil number intake and organisational structure, with an improved budget position.
3. Places will be available at Park Community School for all pupils on roll at Riders Infant School and Riders Junior School when the newly created all-through school opens on 1 September 2026, and pupils will automatically progress through the school. There will be no alteration to transport arrangements for pupils currently attending the schools.
4. The all-through school will cater for pupils between 4 and 16 years (Year R to Year 11) and have a total capacity for 1,160 pupils. The primary phase (Year R to Year 6) will accommodate up to 210 pupils, with an annual intake of 30 pupils into Year R. Works will be required to adapt either the infant or junior building for the primary phase, with all costs covered by the Children’s Services Capital Programme, subject to formal approval at a future Decision Day. The secondary phase (Year 7 to Year 11) will accommodate up to 950 pupils, comprising of the 30 pupils progressing from the school’s Year 6 cohort and an additional 160 pupils admitted into Year 7 each year. Admissions for both Year R and Year 7 will be administered in accordance with the Local Authority’s published admissions policy.
5. Once amalgamated, for children not already attending Park Community School, families can name the school as a preference when the Year 7 main round application process opens in September 2027. Likewise, families will be able to apply for a Year R place in September 2027, naming Park Community School.
6. This Notice is an extract from the complete proposal. Copies of the complete proposal can be obtained from Francesca Godden, Strategic Development Officer, Children’s Services Department, EII Court North, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UG; e-mail: [email protected]
7. Any person may make comments on the proposal by sending them to the details listed above by 5 December 2025.

Dated: 7 November 2025

Gary Westbrook

Chief Executive

Contact:

Email: [email protected]