DARWEN Vale High School is in line for a prestigious architecture award following its £24million revamp under the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The Blackburn Road school has been short-listed for a national Civic Trust Award, which recognises the best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art.

Darwen Vale was closed for two years while large sections were demolished and rebuilt, with teaching relocated to the vacant former site of Darwen Moorland High School, before teaching recommenced at the original site in September.

As well as erecting new state-of-the-art buildings, the existing front was retained and cleaned up to retain the character of the old Grammar School.

The school boasts a range of facilities, including a large hallway that can have a stage set up for events, sports hall and gym equipment, five football pitches and a multi-use games area, art studio and outdoor terrace and more.

Headteacher Fiona Jack said the nomination was richly deserved.She said: “We are thrilled with the innovative design of our new building. There is a stunning combination of modern technology working alongside traditional values.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for education, Coun Tony Humphrys, said: “This is a school the pupils and the community can be proud of.”

The nomination is another pat on the back for architects John McAslan and Partners.

Chairman John McAslan said: “We are delighted the school has been nominated for the Civic Trust Award.

“Integral to the design is a strong emphasis on community engagement, so this recognition is entirely fitting and very welcome.”