Building work of new Hounsome Fields Primary School underway

Plans to open the £14.5m Hounsome Fields Primary School, on the Hounsome Fields development, have moved a step closer after building work began at the site.

The eco-friendly school will meet demand for school places in the area and is expected to open in September 2025, providing up to 420 places for pupils aged four to 11, including eight for those with special needs.

READ MORE: Consultation on trust to run Hounsome Fields Primary School

Construction work underway at Hounsome Fields Primary School (Image: Emily Roberts) Hampshire County Council's regulatory committee gave the go-ahead for planning permission to build the school a year ago, in September 2023.

The school is being built on land within the 750-home Hounsome Fields development on the A30 Winchester Road, opposite the golf course development where 1,000 homes are being built.

However, concerns over pupils’ safety were raised due to the school’s proximity to the A30 Winchester Road, which has a 50mph speed limit. 

Plans to install a controlled crossing point to the A30 were suggested when planning permission was granted to provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to access the primary school and other facilities.

Hounsome Fields Primary School has been designed to allow the expansion of up to 630 pupil places, but this will be subject to future demand and capital funding.

The new school will be a Climate Change Primary School Pilot project and has been assessed against the county council’s climate change targets of being carbon neutral by 2050, designed to be resilient to overheating and flooding.

An academy trust has yet to be appointed to manage the school. In July, a public consultation opened on the potential operator – Engage Enrich Excel Academies (EEEA) Trust – with views sought from interested parents, stakeholders and the community until September 30.

Once completed, the council anticipates that 47 staff members will be employed, including 19 teachers.

The school will include 14 classrooms, a music and drama studio, three group rooms, a library, informal play areas, a staff car park with 40 bays, and two playing fields, amongst other facilities.