New East Devon school wins national award

Mill Water School’s new £8 million building has been nationally recognised for its excellence.

The new development on the Bicton College campus caters for children with special needs.

It has now won the Best Educational Building category at this year’s national Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Awards.

The project was funded and commissioned by Devon County Council, built by Morgan Sindall and designed by Exeter-based NPS South West.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet member for schools, James McInnes, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the quality of the new school building has been recognised nationally.

“Mill Water caters for some of our most vulnerable students and it is important that we give them the best possible start in life.

“This state of the art building ensures that they have the best possible accommodation and facilities to complement the high quality teaching and care they already enjoy.”

When it was opened earlier this year, headteacher Sarah Pickering said all the pupils were really happy in their new school and enjoying the outside space.

“We have a new school that is purpose-built to provide 21st century education and care for our children,” she said.

“We are more than happy with our fantastic new school.”

Representatives from NPS collected the award at a ceremony in London attended by over 700 property industry professionals.

NPS Project Manager, Claire Walkey, said: “We are really proud of this project and personally I am so pleased that the hard work of the talented team behind it has been recognised nationally in this way.

“The judges said they were particularly impressed with the excellent workmanship and quality, as well as our ability to deliver this sustainable design within its historic setting.”

The school won a regional LABC award earlier in the year. It is a high quality, sustainable building with fit for purpose spaces such as a hydro pool with full hoist system, sensory rooms, a rebound room, therapy rooms and stimulating external play spaces.

he LABC awards recognise commitment to technical innovation, quality design and sustainable construction throughout the UK.