The Wonder Challenge tests pupils to design a sustainable school for the future

06 November 2025

Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) and Constructing Excellence North East (CENE), has launched its annual Built Environment Wonder Challenge.

Year 8 pupils will work to a series of submission dates, as they form mini construction companies and compete to win the contract to prepare a bid for the development of a sustainable school. They will also have access to industry professionals, offering advice and support.

The new school must be functional and environmentally friendly, meeting modern educational needs while embracing energy efficiency, inclusivity and innovation.

Previous winners include Northfield School and Sports College, Stockton, who took the top spot in June at the final of the Tees Valley Wonder Challenge, with Sandhill View Academy, Sunderland, the winning school at the final of the North East Schools Wonder Challenge.

Established nearly 20 years ago, the Wonder Challenge has been revamped over the years. In 2023, the NCBF and CENE relaunched the challenge, which was previously led by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Construction Industry Council (CIC) and CENE.

In keeping with last year, the challenge is split across the region with a North East Schools Wonder Challenge and a Tees Valley Schools Wonder Challenge.

The sector bodies present teachers across the region with the opportunity to have a ready-made project for students, assisting them in STEM subjects but also geography, design and English.

The prize, as well as learning about the construction sector, is £500 for the winning team and £500 for their school. The winning schools will be selected at the grand finals in June 2026.

Companies operating within the region’s construction sector have stepped up to sponsor the event. They include A & N Safety Consultants, Caddick Construction, Carney Consultancy, Compass Developments, Clyde & Co, NCBF, T.Clarke and Wates Construction.

Teesside schools taking part this year include Huntcliff School, Saltburn-by-the- Sea, The English Martyrs Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Hartlepool, High Tunstall College of Science, also Hartlepool, and King James Academy and St John’s Catholic School and Sixth Form, both in County Durham.

Schools in the North East Schools Wonder Challenge are Castle View Enterprise Academy, Sunderland, Great Park Academy, Newcastle, Hexham Middle School, Northumberland, Oxclose Community Academy, Washington, Collingwood School and Media Arts College, Northumberland, and Valley Gardens Middle School, Whitley Bay.

The Wonder Challenge is divided into three main tasks for each team to undertake. The first being to set up a construction company and research some of the careers involved. The second part is to conduct market research, putting together a project plan and designing their sustainable school. This leads to the third task, creating a model of their design and presenting their design and journey in the challenge to a panel of industry experts

Catriona Lingwood, chief executive of Constructing Excellence North East, said: “The challenge allows students to think outside the box within a team environment. It helps their personal development in areas such as team building, presentation skills, leadership, time management and self-confidence.

“Moreover, it allows them the opportunity to liaise and interact with professionals working in the built environment, including access to industry experts and site visits.

“Thanks must go to our volunteers from across the industry who will work with the pupils, providing them with valuable knowledge, and to the range of companies who are sponsoring the event.”

Angela Carney, president, NCBF, said: “We want the students to really enjoy the experience and our aim is that they come away wanting to learn more about the careers available in our sector.

“It is well known that we have a skills gap within the sector, by working with schools and dispelling the myth that construction is just hard hats and muddy boots, we can showcase the diverse and rewarding options that a career in construction can offer.”