A SCHOOL in Bradford has been shortlisted for a prestigious international building design award.

Appleton Academy, in Woodside Road, Wyke, has been shortlisted in The Structural Awards 2014, held annually by The Institution of Structural Engineers, which celebrate excellence and innovation in structural engineering.

Appleton Academy is Bradford’s first ‘all through’ school which provides education for children and young people from three years to 19, and beyond.

It is designed to be fully accessible throughout to 1,300 pupils.

Appleton Academy was opened in 2009, specialising in science and sport and replaced Wyke Manor and High Fernley Primary School.

The Academy moved into a £24.15 million state-of-the-art building in November 2012.

It is named after Sir Edward Appleton, a Nobel Prize winning scientist who both studied and worked at the College.

The building features an indoor climbing wall, 30-metre external traversing wall, floodlit 3G Astroturf sports pitch, 15 station outdoor fitness trail, dance studio, fitness gym and 330-seater auditorium.

They are sponsored by Bradford College and form part of the Bradford College Education Trust.

The design explores a radically different approach, interlinking three phases of learning of lower, middle and upper, in a single circular building, built around a naturally landscaped garden.

Learners grow clockwise around the circle, stepping up in scale as they progress. The refectory, cafe and staff hub form a portal in the outer circle, which offer panoramic views across the Pennines.

Shared spaces such as the Academy's library, collaboration spaces and theatre are set in the central garden.

The refectory, cafe and staff hub form a portal in the outer circle of the building, which are aligned to the panoramic views across the Pennines.

Speaking on Appleton Academy, the Awards judges said: “We were impressed by the way the structural development of this very attractive building helped to shape its overall design.

"The expressed structure of the roof and stairs gives it a number of ’wow’ factors in a cost effective way.”

Martin Powell, chief executive of The Institution of Structural Engineers, said: “We hold the Structural Awards each year to recognise outstanding work by structural engineers, and to raise awareness about the vital global role they play creating innovative design solutions.

"From skyscraper and bridge construction to heritage and home projects, the Awards showcase the full range of chartered structural engineers’ abilities, as trusted professionals, problem solvers, and the guardians of public safety.”

The building has received previous recognition after it was highly commended at the SCALA Civic Building of the Year Awards 2013.

The award winners will be announced on November 14. For more information about The Structural Awards 2014, go to structuralawards.org.