A contemporary school design has earned a Kent architecture firm recognition among its peers.

Bromley-based Pellings was highly commended in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors South East Awards for its work on Goat Lees Primary School in Ashford.

The £2.75m project was completed in 2013 and picked out of 30 property schemes in the region for honours in Design Through Innovation and Community Benefit categories.

The school is part of a new Goat Lees development which has emerged over the last decade and was built on unused, overgrown land.

Pellings architect Sarah Jones said: “Being highly commended in two categories at the RICS South East Awards has made us all extremely proud.

“The local community have a school that is within easy reach of their homes, space that they can use outside of school hours, and a building with a striking design that brings excitement to their area.

“Natural light, open spaces, and links with the outdoors also create ideal learning space for children.”

Head teacher Teresa Adams said: “All of us at Goat Lees Primary School are thrilled that our fabulous building has been awarded this recognition for wonderful design and community benefit.

“A pre-design consultation process with the architect meant that they were able to create a school with an innovative design, but one that remains practical and incorporates every little feature that teachers desire.”