A special needs school in Andover has received nod from Hampshire County Council for a major upgrade after it voted in favour of an investment programme.

Icknield Special School on River Way in Andover that teaches young people aged 3 to 19 years, with severe learning difficulties, will now increase its capacity from 78 to 88.

The County Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, Councillor Roz Chadd, approved recommendations to invest £2.5 million in the school to “significantly improve and re-model the internal spaces.”

The decision was taken at a meeting yesterday (Wednesday, February 24), taking account of initial public consultations with stakeholders in November and December, and feedback in response to statutory public notices published on 15 January 2021.

The council has also agreed to expand Samuel Cody Specialist Sports College in Rushmoor.

Councillor Chadd said: “We know that additional places within specialist school provision, for children with additional needs, are going to be very much needed as our communities grow across the county so I fully support the recommendations to expand both schools in the local authority districts of Rushmoor and Test Valley.

“This is completely in line with our commitment to develop existing successful provision and create new provision to meet demand.”

Reacting to the decision, TVBC Cllr and Chairman for Children and Young People Select Committee in HCC, Cllr Kirsty North said: "I am really pleased we’re delivering these changes which parents asked me for and I look forward to seeing the works progress. The next formal stage will be planning permission in the coming months and then, subject to approval, the work can begin!"

Icknield School is currently a 78-place special school for children and young people aged 3 to 19 years, with severe learning difficulties.

The proposed works will provide additional internal teaching accommodation to enable more children to attend the school and significantly improve the overall internal and external learning environment for all pupils, giving a final overall capacity of 88 places.

The works will also improve accessibility around the school, provide three extra classrooms and other work space and an internal refurb of all existing classrooms. Some external works will also be undertaken including a new ramp and moving play equipment.