Hampshire County Council will make a final decision on Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Andover this month following a statutory consultation period on the proposed closure.
Councillor Roz Chadd, Cabinet Lead Member for Children’s Services, will review a comprehensive report during her Decision Day on Wednesday, 31st December. The document details responses from the four-week statutory consultation regarding Hampshire County Council’s proposal to close Smannell and Enham Church of England Primary School, Andover from 27th March 2026.
The school currently has only five pupils enrolled, despite having capacity for 105 children. This represents the lowest attendance figure across all Hampshire schools. Pupil numbers have experienced consistent decline over recent years.
Following an Ofsted inspection in May 2024 that rated the school as ‘Inadequate’, the Government issued an Academy Order requiring conversion to academy status. Despite continued efforts from Hampshire County Council, the Diocese of Winchester and the Department for Education, no academy sponsor has been secured. The existing Academy Order prevents alternative arrangements, including federation with neighbouring schools under shared governance.
Recruitment and retention of permanent teaching staff has proved challenging for the small school. Despite staff dedication to providing stability, some pupils have encountered multiple staff changes during the previous academic year. Hampshire Improvement and Advisory Service for schools (HIAS) alongside other county council departments have delivered ongoing strategic and operational support, though staff turnover has limited the effectiveness of these interventions.
The current five-pupil cohort necessitates mixed-age teaching within a single classroom, creating curriculum delivery challenges that struggle to address individual pupil requirements effectively. Financial pressures affect the school significantly, as funding allocation depends primarily on pupil numbers.
Should Councillor Chadd approve the closure recommendation, Hampshire County Council would collaborate with local schools to guarantee alternative educational provision. Parents seeking faith-based education would find adequate places available at nearby Church of England schools. The county’s Admissions Team would provide guidance and assistance with in-year applications, which schools would process according to statutory requirements.
