Waingels One School Pathfinder

In April 2009,  building work began on the multi-million reconstruction of Waingels College in Woodley heralding a new era for the school.

Contractors Willmott Dixon moved on to the school site on April 6, 2009 to begin the 134 week construction. 

What's been happening recently on this project?

Summer 2009 saw the demolition of the main hall, home economics and art blocks as well as adult education facilities at Waingels College.  And not long after, three new buildings started to rise from the foundations.

These new buildings are being built from solid timber panels from sustainably managed forests, which arrived ready-made from Switzerland.  For every tree felled for the panels, a dozen trees are planted to ensure the forest is sustainable in the future.

This is the first time a secondary school in the country is being built using solid timber panels and the new buildings will be efficient as they will reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent and around 76 per cent of the waste created from this project will be recycled.  All the panels arrived with doors and window openings cut into them, which has helped speed up the construction process.

Daisy Gibbs, from Year 9, was one of the first students to tour the construction site. She said: “It’s going to be really great to be a student in the new school in September. It makes me feel proud that I will be going to one of the most environmentally-friendly schools in the world when it is finished.”

Good Progress

Work has been progressing well on these first phase buildings – the Red Learning Zone - humanities and the Green Learning Zone - technology and Community Zone – and these will be structurally complete by end of March.  Almost all of the windows are fitted in the Community Zone along with the timber cladding - a protective and insulating layer fixed to the outside of a building.   The second vehicle entrance on Waingels Road has also been completed allowing easy access to the school site.  And students and staff have been making good use of their bikes after the new cycle shed was completed.

Milestone celebrated at topping out ceremony

Waingels College hosted a topping out ceremony in December to celebrate a major step in its £31.1million redevelopment.

The topping out ceremony - a traditional event dating back to Saxon times and marks reaching the highest point of a new building - saw year 7 students Harry Light and Kathryn Petch join head boy Josh Beasley and head girl Hannah Ritchie drilling the final screws into timber panels of the Community Zone.  

Next Steps - approximate schedule, may be subject to change.

Phase one - April 2009 to August 2010

During this phase, temporary music, art, sixth form common rooms have moved to other buildings around the site and the Community Zone, Red Learning Zone – humanities - and Green Learning Zone – technology - will be built. Buildings no longer being used, have been demolished. Pupils and staff will move into these new buildings at the start of the new academic year - 2010/11.

Phase two - August 2010 to August 2011

Communications and Arts Zone being built and the remainder redundant buildings demolished. 

Phase three - September 2011 to November 2011

Landscaping will be completed including the central courtyard.  Project complete by November 2011.

 For more information please email ospwaingelscollege@wokingham.gov.uk.