Hampshire School Closures: What Parents Need to Know About the 2026 Shake-Up

Introduction: A Changing Educational Landscape

Hampshire’s education system is undergoing a significant transformation as the county faces a substantial reshaping of its primary schools due to falling birth rates, with two schools already closed and several more set for merger. This development has profound implications for families across the county, as declining pupil numbers force difficult decisions about the future of local schools.

The Scale of Closures and Mergers

Two schools in Hampshire have closed since 2022, and another three have been approved for amalgamation by Hampshire County Council. Most notably, Pennington Infant School and Pennington Church of England Junior School are set to merge into a single primary school from 1 January 2026. Additionally, Peel Common Infant School and Peel Common Junior School in Gosport were approved for merger earlier this year, with the infant school to be repurposed as a new provision for children with special educational needs (SEND).

Orchard Lea Infant School and Orchard Lea Junior School in Fareham have also been proposed for amalgamation as part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme, with the new single primary school scheduled to open in July 2028 following major refurbishment.

Declining Pupil Numbers Drive Changes

The changes come as the county grapples with declining pupil numbers, a trend mirrored nationally due to falling birth rates. The statistics are striking: children aged up to 15 now make up just 17.6 per cent of Hampshire’s population, down from 19.6 per cent in 2004. In all but one case, the changes were prompted by low pupil numbers.

Further Reductions on the Horizon

Beyond permanent closures, Hampshire is also reducing school capacity. 411 fewer school places are planned across the county for the 2027/28 academic year with reductions proposals at a number of schools. Hampshire’s Admissions Forum will review responses on January 12, 2026, which will make recommendations to the executive member for education ahead of the final decision on February 24, 2026.

Conclusion: What This Means for Hampshire Families

The Hampshire school closures represent a significant shift in the county’s educational infrastructure, driven by demographic changes that show no signs of reversing. While these decisions are never easy, authorities insist that amalgamations and closures are only ever proposed when all other possibilities have been fully exhausted and are always put forward with the pupils’ very best interests in mind. Parents should stay informed through their local council’s communications and school websites as these changes continue to unfold throughout 2026 and beyond.