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Case Studies Building Our Future: Scotland's School Estate
SENSORY GARDEN
This project is a learning facility for pupils with complex needs in North Lanarkshire.
This joint venture was funded by Changing Children's Services, the council and a private contractor to provide a sensory garden for children with special needs.
Outcome
A innovative outdoor sensory garden and play/learning area was designed for children with severe support needs. Further joint working took place between the adjacent Social Work Department children's home and a local housing complex for the elderly.
Lessons
- involve 'Grounds for Learning' from the start
- involve parents and staff at the earliest possible stage
- visit similar facilities with the pupils and gain pupil feedback from this via staff and parents
- identify the lessons which can be drawn from this example which other authorities may find useful.
Contact
Ron Dufour
Education Officer
Municipal Buildings
Education Department
North Lanarkshire Council
Kildonan Street
COATBRIDGE
ML5 3BT
Telephone: 01236 812258
Email: education@northlan.gov.uk
'SMALL COSY SPACES' - ARCHITECTURE FOR PRE-FIVE CHILDREN
South Lanarkshire Council recognises the valuable role that young children can play in shaping their school environment and engaged an artist to work with them to make this happen in a pilot project in five establishments.
The artist's residency met all the aims set out in the original proposal for pre-five children which were to:
- develop communication and language skills
- develop knowledge and understanding
- encourage physical development
- encourage teachers, nursery nurses and children to think about the environment they work in.
It fitted with the pre-fives curriculum and supported environmental studies, language, expressive arts and social studies; contributed to the children's awareness of their immediate built and natural environment; and contributed positively to staff development. The artist was popular with children, parents and teaching staff and an ongoing relationship with all the schools was developed. All schools reported that the artist addressed all the learning outcomes in communication, knowledge and understanding and physical development. Members of staff and parents responded very positively to the residency. Head Teachers reported that everyone involved enjoyed working with the artist, who had good ideas, was co-operative and very knowledgeable.
Outcome
This is a groundbreaking project. One nursery was so keen on the approach that they have commissioned an architect to develop the project.
Lessons
This pilot highlights the potential of design and architecture to contribute to the learning process and to the personal and social development of even very young children. The school estate has a major roll to play, not only in providing venues for the programmes, but also in providing resource material in the form of plans and drawings as well as expert advice.
Contact
Brian McGeoch
Arts Education Coordinator
Integrated Children's Services
Education Resources
South Lanarkshire Council
Council Offices
Almada Street
HAMILTON
ML3 0AE
Telephone: 01698 429634
Email: brian.mcgeoch@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
David Booth
Partnership Development Manager
EDSL 21 Project
South Lanarkshire Council
Council Offices
Almada Street
HAMILTON
ML3 0AE
Telephone: 01698 527150
Email: david.booth@southlanarkshire.gov.uk
SPRINGVALE PRE-FIVE CAMPUS
A nursery campus incorporating a nursery school (formerly a fever hospital), a janitor's house (which had been used as a Community Nursery) and large open spaces. The project rationalised the campus, removed an inappropriate building which was not fit for purpose, and released spare land for housing development.
Outcome
A new nursery, to an award winning design, was built on the available land to cater for the needs of children aged 0-5, amalgamating the services offered by the original two nurseries. The former Community Nursery building was converted to a Community Arts Project and is the base for North Ayrshire's Children's Outreach Service, a Fit Ayrshire Babies project and a Home Start project. 
The surplus land, which included the site of the old fever hospital, was sold to a housing association for house building.
All the agencies working within the campus co-operate well and work together to provide a range of services to the community.
Lessons
Multi-agency working within the campus to provide a range of services to the community.
Contact
Jim Leckie
Head of Service
Educational Services
North Ayrshire Council
Cunninghame Drive
IRVINE
KA12 8EE
Telephone: 01294 324414
Email: jleckie@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
ST COLUMBA'S CATERING UPGRADE
This involved upgrading the dining area and installing a smartcard cashless catering system. Funding for the project has been raised through partnership working with Argyll and Clyde Health Board along with a contribution from Modernising Government Fund 2. 107,000 of the total 140,000 cost of the project has been raised from external sources and partner funding.
The concept of upgrading the dining area is not new, but the attraction of partner funding and MGF 2 funds has allowed the project to proceed to the benefit of all the parties involved.
Outcomes
When the project is complete we expect to see:
- a healthier food range on offer
- greater uptake of meals
- reduced free meal stigma
- the start of the citizens' smartcard scheme offering multi application cards for young people
- faster through-put of pupils at lunchtime.
Lessons
Partnership working and attracting external funding for projects which meet the desired outcomes of the parties involved.
Contact
Scott Allan
Sport and Health Development Officer
Inverclyde Council
105 Dalrymple Street
GREENOCK
PA15 1HT
Telephone: 01475 712820
Email: scott.allan@inverclyde.gov.uk
ST STEPHEN'S ENTERPRISE CENTRE
Following an earlier rationalisation, four Home Economics classrooms had been taken out of use as part of a strategy to reduce the school's capacity. The vision was to create a high-technology environment, which reflects the modern work place environment.
Outcome
The key objective of the centre is to provide a virtual work experience for all S2 pupils. This will involve pupils in project-focused work, using skills such as research, problem solving, design, marketing and evaluation. Programmes are being developed in conjunction with local businesses. The centre will also be used by pupils that might otherwise not participate in education, following an IT based course for part of their timetable. It will also be accessed by senior pupils for job search or Further and Higher Education and for the completion of applications, and will be available for controlled community use, offering courses in job seeking and skills development. 
Lessons
The project is an excellent example of partnership working. Inverclyde Council's Education Department has developed links with SEED, URBAN, T-Mobile, National Semi IBM and Scottish Enterprise to develop and equip the centre. The steering group reflects these groups. The project has provided an opportunity for all parties to discuss aims and priorities and to work actively to ensure that the people of Port Glasgow have the chance to develop their skills fully and participate more effectively in the workplace. 
Details
This is a state-of-the-art centre: a pod room, equipped with 24 interactive workstation computers; a multi-media training and conference room with seating for 60 people; a study zone; a cyber café with internet connections; and an informal relaxation area. Careful consideration was given to the environment with attractive materials and vibrant colours.
Contact
Jim Gilhooly
Acting Head of Service
Inverclyde Council
105 Dalrymple Street
GREENOCK
PA15 1HT
Telephone: 01475 712850
Email: jim.gilhooly@inverclyde.gov.uk
TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY AT INVERKEILOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
This is an example of partnership working in Angus Council involving stakeholders and using environmentally-friendly technology to reduce running costs and encourage sustainability.
The school is now fit for purpose. Staff and pupils work in an environment which is safe and stimulating and which can contribute to improving learning and teaching. An important feature of the project was the integration of a nursery class into the main school building where previously it was located in external huts. The former school was located in diverse and remote units, some at a distance from the main school building. An aim of the school improvements was to allow them to be located under one roof.
The school accommodation is now geared to the demands of the school roll whilst taking account of possible expansion of housing in the catchment area.
The existing building has been remodelled and the structure and fabric upgraded with a full new heating system, electrical rewiring, high standards of insulation and finishes to extend the life of the facility. Photovoltaic cells on southerly roof aspects will take advantage of a green energy source and recycling of grey water from roof areas through a holding tank for use in flushing toilets will reduce running costs and water consumption. This contributes to lower annual revenue costs and assists in meeting government targets for the reduction in CO 2 emissions. Windcatchers are incorporated and located at ridge points to avoid the need for mechanical ventilation systems. These operate by introducing fresh air to internal rooms through a central pipe that in turn creates a pressure to remove stale air through a secondary duct. 
Grant funding was accessed to support the photovoltaic system to meet the electrical demands of the school. Any excess electrical power generated is supplied to the national grid with credits awarded. The school is fitted with a Building Management System to monitor and remotely control the use of energy in the building. This monitors the heating temperature, oil tank fuel and grey water reservoir. The property energy costs are expected to reduce significantly (by an estimated 5,000 per annum).
The works were procured through a design and build contract that included a partnering agreement with related running costs. Partners include Angus Council Property Services, Education (Property, IT and Financial Support), the Head Teacher (who acted as the contact with the school staff and pupils) and the main contractor. This arrangement worked well with issues arising or changes in specification being agreed by all parties for the benefit of the project as a whole.
Issues of health and safety were addressed by involving pupils in an awareness campaign. The school was in use during the works with pupils using accommodation within the school grounds. The children participated in a health and safety poster competition, with the theme of dangers of building sites and the importance of following safety rules. 
Outcome
Staff, pupils and parent appreciate the improved environment and the retention and improvement of a local rural school.
Lessons
The partnering aspect of the project through the involvement of the school led to better design advice from users. As a result, the school was aware of issues that arose during the design and construction phases and conflict was avoided as lines of communication were open. Team spirit was evident allowing for constructive input from involved stakeholders.
Contact
Gavin Balfour
Property Services
Angus Council
Wellgate
Bruce House
ARBROATH
DD11 3TP
Telephone: 01241 435117
Email: balfourg@angus.gov.uk
WHITDALE EARLY YEARS CENTRE
This facility in West Lothian includes a nursery capable of accommodating 120 children, (wrap-around provision will account for up to 24 of these places), family centre related activities and administration.
Education & Cultural Services identified the need to improve nursery accommodation and provision in the Whitdale Community. Social Policy also assessed their requirements and needs at the same time. The result of the collaboration is the Whitdale Early Years centre, located close to the existing nursery site and adjoining Whitdale Primary school.
Outcome
The Early Years centre provides well-designed, modern accommodation within close proximity to existing facilities. Service to the community is improved by co-location of facilities. The vacated accommodation has been declared surplus to requirements; one site is being considered for housing. 
Lessons
Early collaboration between services can provide benefits of scale, focusing resources in the areas of most need, reducing the number of properties maintained by the council, and maximising best value at a community level.
Contact
Gordon Dodds
West Lothian Council
Lindsay House
South Bridge Street
BATHGATE
West Lothian
EH48 1TS
Telephone: 01506 776085
Email: gordon.dodds@westlothian.gov.uk
Dayo Amusa
West Lothian Council
Lindsay House
South Bridge Street
BATHGATE
West Lothian
EH48 1TS
Telephone: 01506 776099
Email: dayo.amusa@westlothian.gov.uk
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