Knop is the tops!

Patrick Morrissey has praised the new Knop Law School, on Hillhead Parkway for winning a prestigious award from the Royal British Institute of Architects (RIBA).

"Knop Law is port of the biggest schools investment programme ever seen in Newcastle" said Patrick. "Our new and refurbished schools will be a great legacy of the Liberal Democrats years running Newcastle City Council. The Lib Dems had the ambition to go early for the first phase of funding, whilst many councils across the country hesitated and have lost the opportunity."

The final new school buildings under way will bring the total number of state-of the-art, environmentally- friendly schools up to be opened under the Building Schools for the Future programme in the city.

"My wife teaches at Walbottle School says Patrick "and the new building there is just fantastic. I also know how much the staff and pupils at Knop Law also love their new modern and bright environment"

With its fantastic view overlooking the Tyne Valley, the £7m building is tops for design and for creating brilliant learning spaces. Access to the school is via dedicated entrances for each individual year group to minimize the amount of travel inside the building, and to create a sense of identify and camaraderie for pupils. The whole school community is brought together through multi-use spaces, community rooms and the main hall, which sits at the heart of Knop Law.

Frosted hand prints and musical notes can be seen on glass partitions, personalising the interior space, while the school's exterior facade and interior walls are enlivened by pupils' colourful mosaic art work. Knop Law achieves the 10% target for renewable energy for its use of sustainable initiatives, which include a biomass boiler. Other measures include wildlife gardens allotments and extensive social and sport provision.