New primary schools planned for Bordon and Horndean form part of a £633 million Hampshire County Council programme creating thousands of school places, including expanded provision for children with SEND.

Hundreds of new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities will be created across Hampshire following approval of a major capital investment programme.

The £633 million children’s services capital programme commits to improving school buildings and expanding capacity across the county.

As part of the programme, 397 new SEND places will be created between 2026 and 2027, at a cost of £25.2 million.

The investment forms part of a wider strategy to ensure more children can be educated closer to home while easing pressure on specialist provision.

Alongside new school places, the council will continue to invest in children’s social care, including adaptations to foster carers’ homes, and equipment and home adaptations to help disabled children and young people live more independently.

Projects within the 2026/27 to 2028/29 capital programme are expected to create a further 3,410 school places, bringing the total number of new school places created in Hampshire to 17,814 by September 2029.

Ten new schools, including two special schools, are planned to open in Hampshire over the next three years, including:

In addition, the Government has committed funding for a new free special school in Hampshire.

Windmill Academy, a 135-place co-educational school for pupils aged 4-19 with severe learning difficulties, is planned to open in Whiteley in January 2029.

Hampshire County Council said it is working closely with the Department for Education to agree the final design, delivery timetable and funding arrangements for the new school.

The council is also in discussions with the Department for Education regarding a new secure children’s home to replace Swanwick Lodge.

A new purpose-built 18-bed secure children’s home is being developed, with an expected cost of around £69 million.

Work on site is scheduled to begin in May 2028, with tenders due to be issued in autumn 2026 and a contractor appointed in late 2026 or early 2027.

At a decision day meeting on Tuesday, January 21, cabinet member for children’s services Cllr Roz Chadd approved the paper to be submitted for consideration by cabinet and final approval by the full council on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

She said: “That £632 million over three years is incredible – it allows us to deliver these school places and make a real difference.

“Focusing on school places and SEND provision adds value to our school communities, the families, and the children who use them.”