Havant residents may be consulted on merging Riders Infant and Junior Schools with Park Community School, creating an all-through school for ages four to 16, Hampshire County Council will decide.
Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Roz Chadd, will determine on Wednesday, 25 June, whether to launch an informal consultation regarding the proposed amalgamation in Leigh Park.
The consultation request has come from both schools’ governing bodies amid declining pupil numbers at the Riders Federation over recent years. With school funding tied directly to pupil numbers, the infant and junior schools face considerable budget constraints and potential long-term instability.
Both Riders schools currently hold ‘Requires Improvement’ Ofsted ratings, whilst Park Community School has maintained a ‘Good’ rating since 2017, highlighting ongoing performance issues at the primary level.
The proposed merger would create a more financially viable and efficient structure whilst preserving primary education provision locally. Local forecasts indicate a continued requirement for 30 places in each primary year group.
An all-through school structure would eliminate the need for pupils to transition between institutions at different key stages, offering consistent educational approaches from age four to 16. This would enable staff to develop stronger, longer-term relationships with pupils and families, whilst accessing broader resources to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
Should the amalgamation proceed, the Riders Federation would close, with Park Community School’s age range extended to accommodate Reception through Year 11 pupils from September 2026. The merged institution would operate across both existing sites.
Councillor Chadd will also consider final approval for amalgamations of Pennington Church of England Infant and Junior Schools in Lymington, and Orchard Lea Infant and Junior Schools in Fareham, following statutory consultations conducted earlier this year.
