Hampshire plans specialist bases for up to 21 autistic pupils at Castle Hill Infant and Primary schools in Winklebury from 2027. Comments close on 23 October.
Two Basingstoke schools could take up to 21 autistic pupils between them in new specialist bases from September 2027. Hampshire County Council published the proposals on Friday 25 September. Anyone can comment on them until 23 October.
The schools are Castle Hill Infant School and the Greenbank campus of Castle Hill Primary School. Both give their address as Greenbank, Winklebury Way, in Winklebury, west of the town centre.
Each would gain what the county calls an Inclusion Base (Specialist). The idea is that autistic children get specialist teaching while staying in a mainstream school.
What is planned at each school
The details are in two statutory notices, one for Castle Hill Infant School and one for Castle Hill Primary School (Greenbank Campus).
| Castle Hill Infant | Castle Hill Primary (Greenbank) | |
|---|---|---|
| Autism places | up to 9 | up to 12 |
| Age group | infant | junior |
| Building work | improve existing spaces, plus a small extension | a double modular classroom |
| Outdoor space | a secure outside play space | an external play space |
| Current roll | 171 of 180 places | 642 of 660, across both campuses |
Both bases would open in phases from the 2027/28 academic year. The county says neither would reduce the number of ordinary places at either school.
The notices give the reason plainly. They say “an increasing number of children in the Basingstoke area” are being diagnosed with autism or are on a pathway to a diagnosis.
What it will cost is not yet known
Neither notice gives a price. The county says the capital cost will be known after a detailed feasibility study. It will then go into the Children’s Services capital programme, for approval by the Executive Member in January 2027.
So these are proposals, not decisions. The money has not been approved.
Part of a county-wide round
The two Castle Hill schools are among six proposals Hampshire published on the same day. Together they would create up to 72 places.
The other four are:
- Denmead Junior School, Waterlooville: up to 12 junior pupils
- Knightwood Primary School, Eastleigh: up to 12 primary pupils
- Church Crookham Junior School, Fleet: up to 12 junior pupils
- The Henry Cort Community College, Fareham: up to 15 secondary pupils
Basingstoke is the only town with two sites in this round.
What it means for you
If your child is autistic, or is waiting for an assessment, these would be new specialist places in mainstream schools in the town. The first would not open until the 2027/28 school year, and they would open in phases. The notices do not say how places would be allocated, so ask your child’s school or the county’s SEN team.
If you want to support or object, the window runs from 25 September to 23 October. Comments go to Helen Ley, SEN Partnership Development Manager, Children’s Services Department, EII Court North, Winchester, SO23 8UG. The county also takes them by phone on 03707 795312, or by email through the address on each notice. The complete proposals can be requested from the same address.
If you live near Winklebury Way, the only building work described is a small extension at the infant school and a double modular classroom at the Greenbank campus. Neither notice gives a construction date.
The Castle Hill entrance on Winklebury Way is also one of the school entrances where Hampshire has proposed extending the school entrance markings. We track that order on our roadworks and travel page. For term and holiday dates, see our school term dates page.
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