Top design award for St John Bosco Arts College

St John Bosco Arts College, in Croxteth, Liverpool, has been presented with the prestigious BDP George Grenfell Baines (GGB) Award for its new £18 million school building.

Completed in September 2014, the state of the art building has facilities including dance and drama studios, a fitness suite, 3D immersive learning environments and super-sized science laboratories.

Originally part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme before it was axed in 2010, the school is one of 12 secondary, primary and special schools commissioned by Liverpool City Council under a £170 million deal with the government.

Judges who visited the school praised the exciting mix of learning environments and social spaces, with colour and graphics used to highlight the unique space and functionality of the building.

Headteacher, Anne Pontifex says: “We are delighted to receive the GGB award, the pupils, staff and wider community have fully embraced the new school building and we’re very much enjoying using our new facilities. We wish to thank everyone involved in the process for delivering such a versatile, well designed building.”

Chairman of BDP, David Cash says: “The relationship between the architect and the school was very special and based on trust. The initial ‘learning box’ vision really has been made a reality – the resultant product far outshines many more conventional solutions and demonstrates wonderfully that an inspirational design really can be delivered on a shoestring budget.”

The second phase of the build will complete the landscaping of the sports pitches, which are a key part of the new school and will include a full size 3G all-weather, floodlit pitch.