Reflections on our recent shared learning event - completed LEIP projects

(October 2025) Our recent shared learning event in September drew a record 190 participants eager to explore lessons learnt from completed Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) projects.

On 24 September, we hosted our latest Shared Learning Event, together with the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), focusing on projects delivered through the Learning Estate Investment Programme. This event, attended by a record 190 participants, highlighted lessons learnt from the development of three primary schools.

The theme for the event was ‘Completed LEIP Projects – Lessons Learnt’ and featured the following projects:

• East Calder Primary School – West Lothian Council and Norr Architects
• Neilston Learning Campus – East Renfrewshire Council and BDP Architects
• Montgomerie Park Primary School – North Ayrshire Council, rankinfraser Landscape Architects and Headteacher from Montgomerie Park Primary School

Laura Cameron from West Lothian Council and Kevin Cooper of Norr Architects presented East Calder Primary School, a tandem build project with a triangular form.

The old school was being replaced because of the presence of asbestos, which meant even simple maintenance was challenging and costly. The site for the new school was next to the existing school to ensure that it stayed at the heart of the community. This meant using a very tight site and provided some challenges in the construction process. The school sits next to a refurbished nursery, which is open all year round, raising issues of access while maintaining safety for the children on site. 

The existing school building needed significant asbestos remediation, which impacted the budget. Kevin Cooper from Norr Architects spoke about the unusual triangular shape of the building. The form came from a very early sketch and went through several iterations before returning to the initial idea, which provided benefits by facing south, with one roof and one gutter to minimise maintenance. 

The architects were keen to keep it simple and create a compact building that was easy to heat. Fundamentally, it was about creating a school that was a great place to learn, had interesting architecture, and is very energy efficient.

Joe McCaig, East Renfrewshire Council, and Lindsey Mitchell and Sandra Gallagher from BDP Architects, discussed the challenges of a tandem build on a tricky site. 

Developing Neilston Learning Campus saw joining up two existing primary schools, as well as connecting with an existing family centre which caters to two- to five-year-olds throughout the year. 

Joe McCaig from East Renfrewshire Council said the two primary school buildings were regarded as some of the poorest conditions in the council, so they were a high priority to address. The project was successful in achieving LEIP funding, but it was initially hampered by the pandemic, posing a significant number of challenges for the design team. Steep slopes and uneven ground made designing new spaces difficult.

Lindsey Mitchell, BDP, said that the existing school was developed on the optimal place on the site, which was topographically challenging and bordered by a railway line, the High Street and housing. When phase one of the build started, there were strict limits on where the new school could be placed due to the need to keep safe distances from the railway, nearby homes, and the existing school buildings.

With beautiful views of the countryside and a little collection of trees on the grounds, this connection to nature was something the school community was keen to hang on to. The consultation had to take place during the pandemic, but it allowed the team to get creative and connect with pupils digitally. 

Sandra Gallagher, BDP, highlighted that when designing the final scheme, a major focus was on creating safe and accessible routes for pedestrians, particularly pupils. A key feature is the pedestrian boulevard leading directly to the main entrance, providing a clear and safe access point. 

At the top of the site, a garden and a community orchard border the High Street and connects the school to the community. Together, these spaces create a blend of indoor and outdoor areas that extend the school's use beyond regular hours.

Robin Knox, North Ayrshire Council, Jenny Jones from rankinfraser Landscape Architects and Headteacher Fiona Smyth, discussed the impact of the landscape design at the new Montgomerie Park Primary School in Irvine, built in response to growing housing and school demand.

Jenny Jones from rankinfraser Landscape Architects described the site as a previously vacant area near future development land and a potential community park, with nearby woodlands and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) ponds that supported the landscape design. The project aimed to promote healthy living in a region with one of Scotland’s lowest life expectancies (55 years), integrating play, learning, and wellbeing.

The southeast play area uses natural level changes to create playful zones, outdoor classrooms, gardens, and a bird hide around the SuDS pond. A 3G pitch and amphitheatre to the southwest offer community access and make use of the terrain. The design prioritised durability and ease of maintenance for North Ayrshire Council, using robust materials and planting.

Fiona Smyth, Headteacher of Montgomerie Park, said that the past year had been one of exploration, observing how children interact with the grounds and shaping a curriculum rich in STEAM subjects. Staff and designers collaborated before opening, and the staff now take great pride in the grounds. The design has contributed to high attendance: nearly 100% for staff and 94% for pupils.

The sloped site offers full visibility and encourages more physical activity than typical flat, concrete playgrounds. Children engage in open-ended, natural play, learning about risk and enjoying inclusive features. 

A standout success is a young girl in a wheelchair who joined the early years class, who now navigates the playground independently and joyfully. Something not possible at her previous school. The new school is really well designed for people with accessibility issues, and this carries through to every area of our playground, meaning she can experience the same joy in our playground as every other child, using a motorised wheelchair, which she calls Bob.

Header image of East Calder Primary by Keith Hunter and designed by Norr Architects.