A Bradford schoool is one of 15 buildings in Yorkshire shortlisted for an architectural award.

Appleton Academy in Wyke has been credited for its design which ‘explores a radically different approach to the learning continuum from nursery to sixth form and interlinks seamlessly three phases of learning, lower, middle and upper in a single circular building around a naturally landscaped garden.

Emma England, regional director of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Yorkshire Award, said: “We are delighted with the number of awards entries and the quality of the architecture on the shortlist this year. It is a diverse list in terms of project type and locations across the region.”

The shortlisted buildings will be assessed by a regional jury with the winners of an RIBA Yorkshire Award announced on the evening of Thursday, May 1, at the Aspire venue in Leeds.

Regional winners will also be considered for a highly-coveted RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings. The 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced later in the year.

It is not the first time Appleton’s distinctive design has caught the judges’ eyes. The academy clinched a top award in Civic Building of the Year 2013 at the annual Scala President's Dinner.

Opened in 2012 the through-age academy for 1,400 pupils replaced the former Wyke Manor School and High Fernley Primary.