THE new state-of-the-art Caldicot School is in the running for two prestigious national awards, recognising its design and construction.

Catering for 1,500 pupils, it is the first secondary school to be delivered as part of Monmouthshire County Council’s 21st Century Schools Programme.

The £36 million project is the result of new thinking around how to design and build a school, offering an inspirational environment for learning, facilities for the wider community, as well as an elegant civic building for the town.

Recognising the school’s innovative design and construction, its architects BDP and contractors Interserve Ltd have been shortlisted for the Building Project of the Year and the People Development Award in the Constructive Excellence Wales scheme.

Simon Kneafsey, MCC’s Future Schools Programme Manager said, “We’re absolutely over the moon that our vision to deliver sustainable change to teaching and learning in our schools has been delivered in Caldicot. Staff and students love being in the school and the warm, welcoming, mature workplace environment is already having an impact on outcomes.“

The building has been designed to get as much light in as possible while maximising the efficiency of the space. Teaching areas are arranged in ‘learning hubs’ with shared central space providing a flexible social hub and additional teaching and learning spaces.