A school with a golden roof has won an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The new Whitehorse Manor School buildings in Thornton Heath are now well known landmarks in the area thanks to their distinctive gold facades.

Judges from the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) awarded them with the best design award.

The project was one of only two schools from London recognised by judges to warrant a prize. Other winners included The Shard, Tate Britain’s Milbank Project and the redevelopment of Kings Cross station.

It was designed by architects Hayhurst and Co, the practice that won a similar award last year for its work on The Hayes Primary School in Kenley.

Jolyon Roberts, executive headteacher of The Pegasus Academy Trust, said “The judges were impressed with how the new buildings complimented the older, more traditional buildings on our site.

"Now the facilities are fully open, our children are enjoying many new and improved learning spaces.

“Parents have been impressed with our new entrance and combined school office, which means you now don’t have to go to two different front desks to collect children from the same family.

“The design certainly has the wow factor and we don’t have to explain to visitors where we are any more – the building is difficult to overlook.”