A NEW Darlington school has been shortlisted for a national architecture award.

The Darlington Education Village, which opened in April last year, is in line for the top prize at this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.

The ceremony rewards the state-built projects with the most innovative designs.

The Education Village was designed by RyderHKS Architects, and is the UK's first fully integrated education site - with primary, secondary, nursery and special education needs on one campus.

Dame Della Smith, executive director of the £37.3m school, said: "We are very fortunate to have been provided with such outstanding facilities - designed and built around our own needs - for both students and the local community. This is vital to supporting our drive to raise standards so that all our children achieve their full potential. Since opening, we have received more than 1,500 visitors wanting to look around and discuss the school's design. The Education Village really is setting the benchmark."

The school is among 18 shortlisted entries fighting it out for this year's award, which is organised by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe).

Stephen Stokoe, Cabe's regional representative, visited the school this week.

He said: "The education village is pioneering and makes the case for including every stage of education on a single site."