New buildings for Wokingham school means increase in pupils

Recently, Wokingham Borough Council submitted plans for new buildings at St Crispin’s secondary school.

The project involves building a two storey extension to the existing sixth form block, a single storey extension to the existing dining hall and a new canopy to improve wayfinding and shield those entering and leaving the school from the elements.

The sixth form extension would provide eight new classrooms to facilitate learning and new subjects taught at sixth form level, including sociology and a wider range of sciences.

The extension to the dining hall provides more dining space for pupils.

The new buildings allow the school to increase that amount of pupils it takes in by 179.

The school currently has 1,383 pupils, but once the project is completed, it will be able to host a total of 1,562 pupils.

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Furthermore, the expansion will accommodate an increase of 23 teaching staff, up to 171 compared to the current number of 148 teachers.

The expansion and additional buildings were discussed at a council planning committee meeting.

Andy Hinchliff, the headteacher of St Crispin’s, argued the school has already taken in more pupils, and requires more space to grow.

Mr Hinchliff said: “As the Montague Park and Keephatch Gardens developments have grown, we have looked to support the local authority so they are able to provide additional places for all children in the local area.

“To explain and ensure our commitment to supporting local families, in September 2022 St Crispin’s took in an additional 100 students and we’re looking to support the local authority again with an additional intake of 55 students for September 2023.”

While most pupils come from the east of the town and borough, Mr Hinchliff said St Crispin’s is an ‘inclusive school’ with special needs and disability provision and support for those who have English as an additional language.

Mr Hinchliff added that the school is taking in more pupils due to a demographic ‘bulge’ and new arrivals from Hong Kong and those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

READ MORE: Emmbrook School to increase pupil capacity thanks to new buildings 

The council’s built heritage officer had objected to the expansion, arguing it would have an undue impact on the main school building which dates back to its opening in 1953 and is Grade II listed as an early example of prefabricated building techniques.

However, councillor Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford) argued that the impact on the building would be outweighed by the clear benefits of expansion.

Cllr Conway said: “I’m all in favour of preserving historic buildings, but perhaps some merit more careful treatment than others?

St Crispins School in London Road, Wokingham. The main building is Grade II listed. Credit: Google Maps

“Whatever harm might be involved in this extension of the school compromising a list building is massively outweighed by the benefit that comes from the improved facilities and the additional capacity of St Crispin’s to teach more pupils, and that is desperately needed.”

The project was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, March 8.

You can view the approved application by typing reference 223603 into the council’s planning portal.