School design scores a hat-trick

A school building in Ashford has won yet another design award.

Goat Lees Primary School in Kennington took home a total of three awards and was named overall Project of the Year at the 2014 Kent Design and Development Awards on Thursday.

The school was shortlisted for two awards and won both gongs in the public buildings, education and environmental performance categories.

Head teacher Teresa Adams said: “It was very exciting to win both categories as there were many other worthy projects.

“To receive the award for Project of the Year was a real honour as it was voted for by everybody at the ceremony.

“I was delighted that our unique learning environment has been recognised in such a wonderful way as so many people have played such a vital part in ensuring that a school was established in the heart of the Goat Lees Community.”

Designed by architect business Pellings, the school was recognised for making the most of natural light and ventilation, intelligently using space and making strong links with the outside.

The project, which was funded by Kent County Council and opened in September 2013, was given extra credit for its use of photovoltaic and solar thermal panels.

A delighted Neill Werner, head of architecture at Pellings, said:

“Goat Lees is an example of what can be achieved through understanding the value that senior management and teach- ing staff can bring to a school project.

“It is also an example of how exciting design can be delivered within a finite budget.”

In a unique venture the school was sponsored by a group of local primary head teachers who collaborated with the project team to design the building.

For more information on the award winners visit www.kentdesigndevelopmentawards.co.uk

From left, Goat Lees head teacher Teresa Adams, Sarah Jones, senior education architect at Pellings, and Ella Brocklebank of Kent Construction Focus Group who presented the award, celebrate as Goat Lees Primary School is named overall winner of the...