Inside the New Woldgate School Teaching Block in Pocklington East Yorkshire

There's a bit of a buzz around Pocklington in East Yorkshire and it's all about the local school. On 10 Dec 2025, Woldgate School officially opened its brand-new teaching block and it's a pretty big deal for its 1,200 students. Forget old, draughty corridors; this is a completely fresh start.

The students moved in a few weeks ago and the word is that they absolutely love it. This isn't just a lick of paint or some new chairs; it's a complete redevelopment that transforms learning in this part of East England.

A massive upgrade for students in Pocklington

Imagine swapping your old school building for a shiny new three-storey one. That’s exactly what’s happened at Woldgate School. The old buildings have been replaced with a modern teaching block designed to be a brilliant place for students to learn and spend time. The reaction from pupils has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how bright and modern the new spaces feel. A good environment really does make a difference when you're trying to understand algebra or tackle Shakespeare. This major project was a huge collaboration.

The opening event brought together all the key partners who made it possible. Head Teacher Luke Sloman was joined by Jonathan Britton, CEO of the trust, along with representatives from Wates Construction East including David Wingfield, Mark Wolverson, Paul Gott and Rob Saberton. Also attending were Paul Legard and Stephen Garland from the Department for Education, Adele Pinder from the trust’s estates team, Pocklington Mayor Roly Cronshaw and Tom Chamberlain from East Riding Council. Their joint efforts have delivered fantastic new facilities for the school.

More than just classrooms

So what’s actually inside the new building? Quite a lot. The classrooms are bright, spacious and filled with natural light, with many enjoying views across the countryside. The entire block is packed with facilities designed to give students the best tools for learning.

Here’s what’s included: cutting-edge science labs for practical experiments, a large assembly hall for performances and whole-school gatherings, a modern dining area with a full kitchen, a new outdoor multi-use games area and a brand-new sports hall currently in development. These spaces support not only lessons but also clubs, sports and social activities which are a central part of school life.

Built for the future and the planet

This redevelopment wasn’t just about creating a nicer building; it was about designing something sustainable and built for the future. The project forms part of the government’s School Rebuilding Programme delivered by the Department for Education. One of the main aims was to make the building net zero carbon in operation. In simple terms, the building is designed to generate as much energy as it uses.

This is achieved with extensive photovoltaic solar panels and low carbon materials throughout the construction. It ensures the school is environmentally responsible long-term. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council also supported the project by funding much of the furniture and equipment. This investment benefits not just Woldgate’s pupils but the wider community as well.

What the head teacher thinks

A building can look impressive but it also needs to work for the people inside it. According to head teacher Luke Sloman, the effect has been immediate. He said: "We can already see the positive impact this new building and excellent facilities are having on both pupils and staff.

It is wonderful for the local community that our school now has a building and facilities that reflects the high-quality education and care we provide our students and I know they are thrilled to use these fantastic facilities. The collaboration with contractors has also provided invaluable learning opportunities for our children." Students were able to observe the construction up close which gave them insight into careers in engineering, architecture and construction.

A big win for the whole community

This project didn’t just benefit the school. Wates Construction East invested heavily in what they call social value. They provided over 83 hours of curriculum support including employability workshops and work experience placements for students. The project also supported unemployed local residents by offering 50 hours of mentoring and CV help which led to 15 new jobs. Managing Director David Wingfield summed up the project:

"We are proud to have worked alongside the Wonder Learning Partnership to deliver a facility that has truly reimagined what a learning environment can be. This project reflects the commitment to our purpose reimagining places for people to thrive and we are confident it will inspire and support students for generations to come. My sincere thanks go to the site team for their exceptional work and to the school for their collaboration and support throughout the works."

All in all, the new teaching block at Woldgate School is a huge success. It provides cutting-edge facilities for students, supports the local community and creates a modern, inspiring space that will benefit Pocklington for decades to come.