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An "inspirational" £8.4million Oldbury special school is celebrating after scooping two top awards for its design.

The Orchard School, in Causeway Green Road, scooped a highly commended award in the Inspiring Design - Special Needs category at the British Council for Schools' Environments inaugural awards for best practice in UK design and construction of schools.

The school's builders - contractors Willmott Dixon - also took first prize in the Best School Contractor category.

Opened in 2006, the schools caters for 100 pupils aged from two to 11 and was created by Sandwell Council's urban design team. Its features include a hydrotherapy pool, sensory garden and special medical and physiotherapy rooms and were described by Minister of State for schools Jim Knight at the time as "inspirational facilities."

Councillor Ian Jones, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "I am delighted the school has picked up these two awards.

"It was a flagship project that attracted national recognition at the time.

"The design and building of the school was a team effort and the result was an outstanding state-of-the-art building."

4:55pm Friday 28th March 2008

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