A school in Bath has been shortlisted in the first British Council for School Environments (BCSE) Awards 2008, which recognise best practice in UK school design and construction.

Three Ways School, in Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath has been shortlisted in the Inspiring Design/Special Needs category.

Opened in September 2007, the school was a £12m project, developed as a centre of excellence for Special Needs education in Bath and North East Somerset. The buildings, grounds and facilities enable 150 children and young people with a range of needs to receive the very best education.

The school is divided into small family units, from a nursery for the very youngest children right through to a post-16 centre. Facilities include an egg-shaped sensory theatre and a hydrotherapy pool.


Architects for the scheme were Cardiff-based B3, who are also the architects for the new St Kenya School in Keynsham, set to open in summer of this year.

Bath & North East Somerset's Cabinet Minister for Children's Services, Cllr Chris Watt, said: "Bath & North East Somerset Council is delighted that the team that delivered Three Ways School have been recognised in this way. It really is a great school, with innovative design and facilities which benefit many of our most vulnerable children. Let’s hope the school now goes on to win the award."

B3 director, Nick Ruff also said: "It was great to hear that Three Ways has been shortlisted for this national design award and it’s testament to the hard work of everyone involved, who ensured that the vision for this exemplar special needs school was actually realised.

"It is now being recognised as a benchmark by other schools. It has been particularly pleasing to see the way staff, pupils and parents have all been so enthusiastic about the new school."

Entries for the BCSE Awards were received from architects, contractors, suppliers, local authorities and schools across 15 categories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Manchester United Football Club on February 12.