A multi-million pound new school building project has won two prestigious awards for the quality of the design.
The Council worked with Aedas Architects on developing the designs for the £26 million Writhlington School, Radstock to create a high quality learning environment so that children and young people are prepared for adult life.
The British Council for School Environments, an education charity which pioneers and supports the creation of effective and efficient learning environments, declared the Writhlington School project as Winner of the Excellence in Design for Teaching and Learning: Secondary New Build and Winner of the Badge in Excellence in Design for Virtual Learning.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council & Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said, “Writhlington School is a magnificent learning environment and will be so for many years to come. Bath & North East Somerset Council worked hard with Aedas and the school to ensure a high standard of design and building quality which would benefit the people that now teach and learn at Writhlington. It is excellent news that this work is recognised by industry experts with these prestigious awards.”
Karle Burford, Director at Aedas Architects, said, “We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the school . Alongside the main school building they designed the 14-19 Applied Learning Centre, enhanced tennis facilities, Orchid Propagation Greenhouses, a refurbished Community Learning Centre and a new Site Maintenance Mangers House. The comprehensive and cohesive campus design has provided a contemporary solution that has been recognised with both awards and results.“
“The design of the school is striking and it is clear from the reactions received from students and staff that the approach taken by both B&NES, the school and Aedas has provided a solution fit for new ways of learning.”
Writhlington School Headteacher Mark Everett added, “There are so many fantastic opportunities for young people here at Writhlington. The icing on the cake is the outstanding facilities we are working in and I’m delighted that our building has been acknowledged as the best newly built secondary school in the country. Credit must go to staff and students who worked with the architects to ensure the building meets the needs of 21st century learning”.
The Council’s project for new buildings at Batheaston Primary School also won awards in the Winner of the Badge in Excellence in Community Involvement and Highly Commended for Excellence in Design for Teaching and Learning: Small Projects (Primary) categories. It also won two regional awards from industry surveying and building control bodies.
