AN EAST Yorkshire independent school's campaign for a new Art and Design Technology Centre has reached its fundraising target of £2 million.

Pocklington School says this achievement is thanks to the generosity of its community of donors, including Old Pocklingtonians, current and former parents, staff, governors, life patrons, charitable trusts and friends of the school.

The campaign for the new Art and Design Technology Centre, which has now formally concluded, was launched in 2015 and was part of the school’s strategic development plan.

Boosted by a significant contribution from Old Pocklingtonian Brian Fenwick-Smith, the campaign quickly gathered momentum and governors gave the go-ahead for building work to start on the project in August 2016.

Phase one of the new building was ready to move into after the summer exams finished the following June, and teaching began in the new centre at the start of the 2017 Michaelmas Term.

Phase two of the new building then followed, ready for the second half of term.

The new centre has been designed to inspire the pursuit of traditional arts and crafts, as well as providing cutting-edge facilities for digital imaging, editing, animation, computer-aided design and manufacturing technology. It is now being fully utilised by staff and students across all year groups, as they pursue their studies in art, DT, photography, sculpture and ceramics.

The date for the official opening is set for 6pm on May 18.