WESTGATE School in Winchester which converted and extended a former boarding house and nursery into a new primary school has been shortlisted for an architecture award.

Hampshire County Council’s in-house Property Services team have been shortlisted for a Solent Design Award.

The team re-modelled and extended the former boarding house and nursery to create a new 420-place primary school on the site of the existing secondary school to create Hampshire’s first 4-16 ‘all-through school’ campus.

The recognition has particular poignancy for the team as the project was led by architect Alec Gillies, who sadly died of cancer shortly after the project was completed.

Cllr Peter Edgar, the County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “Alec was a hugely talented architect, a valued colleague who is much missed by the team.

"Westgate School was one of Alec’s final projects so it will always be thought of with some sadness but pride at his accomplishments. I know the team think this shortlisting is just recognition of Alec’s vision, design skill and close collaboration with the school on this project.”

The new primary school was completed in summer 2015 with double height open spaces at its core to increase natural light and ventilation, which also provides greater flexibility for learning and social cohesion. The brick and slate roof also compliments and closely matches the surrounding campus. On and off site works have also provided additional staff car parking, improved pedestrian routes and parent drop-off and collection.

Westgate School was part of a major capital investment programme by Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services Department, which delivered over 6,300 new school places between 2013 and 2016.

The current programme represents a £308 million investment to deliver a further 11,000 new school places, across the county, by 2019.