Willmott Dixon's innovative approach to inspiring excellence in
the built environment has been recognised by the British Council
for School Environments (BCSE), after the design and build
contractor picked up three awards, including 'Schools Contractor of
the Year'.
Now in its third year, the BCSE awards are highly regarded in
the education sector, rewarding the best new ideas and latest
thinking in creating new environments to learn.
As well as picking up the coveted 'Schools Contractor of the
Year' award, Willmott Dixon also walked away with the 'Inspiring
Design' (Schools) award for Forest Way SEN School.
The new £10 million school, based in Coalville,
Leicestershire caters for 153 pupils with special needs, aged three
to nineteen. As a result of innovative design, which included
the early collaboration of teachers and pupils, the school is now
able to teach a greater variety of subjects including science, and
food technology - all in purpose built rooms.
The overall design of the school also provides a variety of
interactive materials and installations to make learning an
enjoyable experience, something which has already been witnessed by
Head Teacher, Lynn Slinger who has been nothing short of amazed at
the effect the building's aesthetics has had on students'
well-being. Since opening just over a year ago the school
reported that incidences of challenging behaviour had fallen by two
thirds as a result of the new design.
Willmott Dixon Construction also picked up a third accolade,
'Inspiring Design' (Academies) award for the City Academy in
Hackney.
BCSE chief executive Ty Goddard said, "The BCSE awards are about
celebrating the best of Britain's schools. Willmott Dixon
Construction is dedicated to creating the building schools for the
future, schools that are not only the 'greenest' in terms of eco
credentials but schools that stand the test of time, making them
worthy winners of School Contractor of the Year."
Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon, Midlands and
education sector leader says, "Looking at the quality of the
judging panel, the projects and also the companies that were short
listed, winning three awards is a tremendous honour.
"We are totally devoted to using the best ideas, technology and
partners to create exceptional places to learn and develop, and
these three awards give us all a great sense of professional
satisfaction that our work really is making a difference."