Contractor appointed for Emmbrook sixth form expansion

A local construction company, Contract Trading Services, have been appointed to build the expansion of The Emmbrook School’s sixth form in Wokingham. 

Preparatory work started last year, with £240,000 of funding provided by Wokingham Borough Council. In February this year, the council agreed a further £3.837 million for the main part of the project.

The expansion will allow the school to take up to 60 additional sixth form students to meet local demand.  A brand-new building will house the school’s existing sixth form, while providing additional space for future needs.

The new sixth form block will include a social space, study area, classrooms, toilets and an administration area. Accessibility ramps will be installed to ensure inclusive access for all students.

Contract Trading Services have started work on site. Further expansion works include the construction of a new reception extension, which will start once the new sixth form block is finished.

Excitement as project makes progress

Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said: “Meeting the growing demand for post-16 education is a priority for the council, which is why we’re investing in local schools to create the additional places young people need.

“This expansion project will mean more pupils can access excellent education within their local community, helping them achieve their ambitions while strengthening opportunities for future generations.”

“The appointment of a contractor marks an important milestone for this much-needed expansion project and I’m excited to see it move forward.”

Nick McSweeney, headteacher of The Emmbrook School, said: “This is an exciting time for our school and we’re delighted to receive this much-needed investment. The Emmbrook has grown significantly over the past eight years and these new buildings will give our students outstanding new facilities. 

“Our results have continue to go from strength to strength over the past four years and I’m confident that this investment will allow our students to achieve even greater successes in the future.”

The new sixth form is expected to open in September 2027. The consultants for this project are HLM Architects, based in London.

Investing in our young people's future

The Emmbrook School is part of The Circle Trust, joining the multi-academy trust in 2021. It is one of many schools the council is investing in as part of its council’s School Places Strategy (2025-2030), which guides education capacity across Wokingham Borough.

Last year, expansion works completed at The Piggott School, a secondary school in Wargrave. This phased project included a new multi-purpose dining hall and improvements to the science department including alterations and extension of the existing laboratories. 

This project was also built by Contract Trading Services, with four all-weather netball and tennis courts also completed by S & C Slatter from Newbury.

Earlier this month, a new sixth form opened at Bohunt Wokingham in Arborfield. It is called Bohunt Wokingham Sixth (BW6) and provides an additional 300 places. BW6 was jointly funded by the council and the Bohunt Education Trust.