REDDITCH school children are to benefit from an introduction to architecture and design thanks to a grant of more than £100,000, writes Helen Clarke.

The money has been given by the Regional Arts Lottery Programme in order to establish a regional centre for architecture and design in the West Midlands.

A pioneering project to establish Midlands Architecture Design Environment (MADE) has taken a decade of preparation and planning and was set up last June by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Birmingham Design Initiatives and West Midlands Arts.

The cash boost of £108,865 will enable MADE to develop a number of priority projects, including its major learning programme which brings architects, artists and young people together in innovative projects.

One of MADE's key projects will be one which includes young people from Moatfield and St Peter's Middle Schools as they prepare to join and become Ipsley Church of England Middle School as part of the Redditch Review.

Claire Jenkins, regional director of RIBA said: "Architects and artists have been brought into these schools to work closely with the children during this transitional period.

"We're looking at ways of bringing these schools together as they prepare to merge.

"The youngsters are learning about design and are themselves designing a structure of the school. They are getting a chance to look at the whole building process.

"Worcestershire County Council has a policy of producing sustainable architecture so this was a good place to develop this project.

"In the future we plan to introduce Saturday clubs in architecture. MADE want to build from a small base and bring architecture more into the main curriculum."