Funding secured for sixth form expansion project

The ambition to expand the sixth form provision at The Emmbrook School in Wokingham has received a significant boost.

Preparatory work started last year, with £240,000 provided by the council in June, and in February of this year, the council agreed £3.837 million in funding for the main part of the project, as part of the budget for 2026/27.

This would allow the school to take on up to 60 additional sixth form students.

The new building will house the school’s existing sixth form, while also providing additional space for future needs.

Alongside the sixth form project, the school has expanded to eight-form entry, with an additional 150 places across the other year groups provided.

The project involves the demolition of an existing administration block to be replaced with a two-storey building, with this work due to commence this summer. 

The intention is for the new sixth form unit to be fully operational for the start of the new school term in September 2027.

Executive member for Children’s Services Cllr Prue Bray said: “The borough’s post-16 opportunities are being broadened and provision localised in our excellent local schools. 

“Among them, The Emmbrook School is recognised not only locally but across the country for achieving such excellent academic standards, ranking in the top one per cent nationally as recently as 2024 for its A-Level results.

“We’re delighted to support a project that allows more young people to have the option to take their education further in the borough. The new sixth form centre will provide modern, purpose‑built spaces that support both independent and supervised learning, helping students on the pathway to further education and employment.”

The new unit would include a social space, study area, classrooms, toilets and administration area. There would also be accessibility ramps to ensure it is inclusive access for all students and features to make it more energy efficient.

The existing reception and admin building at the entrance of the school is to be removed and a new extension to the existing staff and admin block will provide a new, welcoming entrance to the school.

There would also be some changes to the internal layout elsewhere on the site to improve circulation through the school, as well as landscaping.

Nick McSweeney, headteacher of The Emmbrook School, said: "We are delighted that funding for our new sixth form building has been formally approved. This is a significant milestone for our school and for families across Wokingham.

“The new building will provide modern, purpose‑built study spaces and improved facilities that reflect the ambition and maturity of our high performing and growing sixth form. It represents an important investment in the future of local young people and will allow us to give support as students prepare for university, apprenticeships and employment.

“I would like to thank Wokingham Borough Council for their commitment to education and for recognising the value this development will bring to our students and the wider community. 

“This is an exciting moment for our school and we look forward to working closely with residents, families and partners to bring this new chapter to life.”

The Emmbrook School is part of The Circle Trust, joining the multi-academy trust in 2021.