Shared learning events: Learning Estate Investment Programme

Read about the Learning Estate Investment Programme and how it helps shape great learning environments. 

A photograph of an open laptop with a blurred image of people on an online conference call

The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) was launched in September 2019 alongside the Learning Estate Strategy (LES). 

The programme intends to ensure the best outcomes of the Learning Estate Strategy by focusing on the benefits and contribution it provides towards its achievement.     

It aims to deliver learning environments that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth by delivering high quality, low carbon and innovative educational settings. 

Our role in the Learning Estate Investment Programme

Working in conjunction with Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) Learning Estate Infrastructure Team, we have been facilitating Shared Learning Events since December 2020. 

They are open to all Local Authorities across Scotland and provide an open forum to discuss initiatives and share ideas, best practice and challenges. 

As well as a forum for Local Authorities to join together, the Shared Learning Events are designed to complement support that is available on any aspect of the LEIP, from SFT’s Learning Estate Infrastructure Team and wider stakeholders as appropriate. 

What is the LEIP designed to do?

Jointly funded by Scottish and Local Government, the programme is designed to: 

  • improve the condition of the school estate 
  • support growth projects where there are no local condition priorities 
  • establish links across the learner journey where appropriate 
  • benefit 50,000 pupils to learn in condition A/B schools 
  • enable the delivery of wider Scottish Governments policy objectives, including the guiding principles of the Learning Estate Strategy 
  • support sustainable estate planning with clear investment and maintenance strategies 

Visit Scottish Futures Trust for more information on the LEIP. 

Workshop summaries from the shared learning events

This page covers the various shared learning events which have taken place since December 2020. Each section includes a summary of the event, what is included in the report and a download link.  

Click on the links below to scroll down to the respective event summary. 

A architectural sketch of a school building on a sunny day. There are people walking around the grounds.

Shared learning event one: LEIP Phase 1

Held online in December 2020, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT for the LEIP phase 1 projects. 

The event brought together 32 delegates across 11 Local Authorities and the Head of School Funding, Infrastructure and Organisation Unit at the Scottish Government Learning Directorate.

Image credit: Architype

What is included in this report

The event was structured around four topics of discussions and members of Scotland’s Local Authorities presented each topic during the event. The report includes: 

  • North Ayrshire Council approach to setting measurable outcomes for the proposed Ardrossan Community Campus  
  • City of Edinburgh Council approach to achieving the energy target with Passivhaus for the proposed Currie Community High School  
  • West Lothian Council approach to achieving the energy target (without Passivhaus) for the proposed Beatlie ASN Campus  
  • Fife Council approach to collaboration with other partners for the proposed Dunfermline Community Campus.  
  • Discussions around learnings from COVID-19 

Shared learning event: LEIP Phase 1

Download this report to read key learnings captured from the LEIP phase 1 shared learning event. 

(Published December 2020)

An architectural illustration of a high school. The building has black roofs and windows lining across the entrance facing wall and has trees planted into the pathways leading up to the schools.

LEIP: Phase 2 project launch

Held online in March 2021, we hosted a virtual launch event for the phase 2 LEIP projects. Phase 2 includes 25 projects across 18 local authorities in Scotland. 

It includes small extensions, refurbishments of historic buildings, new facilities to accommodate growth and the development of multi-service campuses, which presented their challenges and exciting opportunities. 

Image credit: Perth Kinross Council

What is included in this report

Ahead of the launch of phase 2, local authorities provided a short synopsis of their project, along with a challenge they foresee and something that excites them about their project.  

You can expect to find information on the project, the challenges they face and the opportunity this project will bring. 

Shared learning event: LEIP Phase 2

Download this report to find information on the various phase 2 projects for the Learning Estate Investment programme. 

(Published March 2021)

An engineer wearing a hard hat leads a team of other engineers.

Shared learning event: Objective setting, quality, standard information plan and community benefits

Held online in May 2021, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT which included initial lessons from the LEIP phase 1 projects and the virtual launch for the LEIP phase 2 projects from March 2021. 

It brought together 90 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from the Scottish Government Learning Directorate.  

Image credit: ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

What is included in this report

This event included presentations from SFT’s Construction Industry and Delivery team, who gave an overview of initiatives set out in the terms, conditions and outcomes of the LEIP.  

We have put together a report which summarises the key learnings from this event. In this report you can read about the initiatives presented including: 

  • objective setting briefing and evaluation 
  • quality 
  • standard information management plan 
  • community benefits 

Shared learning event: Objective setting, quality, standard information plan and community benefits

Download this report to read key learnings captured from May 2021’s shared learning event on objective setting, quality, standard information plan and community benefits.  

(Published May 2021)

An architectural illustration of a school building. The building has a long and narrow black coloured façade and there are learners walking around the building.

Shared learning event: Energy targets and energy efficiency

Held online in August 2021, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT that was focused on Energy and Internal Environmental Quality.  

It provided discussions on different approaches to achieving the energy target for LEIP, the requirements to meet BB101:2018 and plans of what could be achieved for Net Zero. 

This event brought together 90 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from the Scottish Government Learning Directorate.  

Image credit: East Lothian Council

What is included in this report

We have put together a report which summarises the key learnings from this event. In this report you can read a summary of: 

  • East Lothian Council: Case study of Wallyford Highschool 
  • Perth and Kincross Council: Case study of what has been learned to date 
  • SFT’s Net Zero team: What is next for Net Zero and reflections on the Net Zero pathfinders 
  • Architecture and Design Scotland: Designing for a changing climate and Carbon Conscious Places 

Shared learning event: Energy targets and energy efficiency

Download this report to read key learnings captured from August 2021’s shared learning event on energy targets and energy efficiency. 

(Published August 2021)

The interior of a two-storey atrium in a school. The ground floor of the atrium is a cafeteria and the first floor leads to the classrooms.

Shared learning event: Refurbishments

Held online in March 2022, we held hosted a shared learning event with SFT that focused on the theme of refurbishments.  

It provided discussions on the opportunities and challenges of dealing with existing buildings, with considerations given to heritage value, value of locked in carbon, embodied investment value and the potential abandonment of previous investment into an existing estate. 

This event brought together 100 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from the Scottish Government Learning Directorate. 

Image credit: David Barbour

What is included in this report

We have put together a report which summarises the key learnings from this event. In this report you can read a summary of: 

  • Historic Scotland: Conservation Retrofit 
  • Glasgow City Council: Case study of Gaelic Primary School 
  • South Ayrshire Council and BDP: Case study of Ayr Grammar School 
  • Dumfries and Galloway Council: Case study of St Joseph's College 
  • South Lanarkshire Council: Case study of Rooftop ELC, East Kilbride 

Shared Learning Event: Refurbishment

Download this report to read key learnings captured from March 2022’s shared learning event on refurbishments.  

(Published March 2022)

Graphics with the words 'How do learning spaces enable all young people to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens'

Shared learning event: Connecting learning environments with learner experiences

Held online in June 2023, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT around the theme of lessons learnt from connecting learning environments with learner experiences.

This event brought together 75 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland.

Image credit: Education Scotland

What is included in this report

The report summarises the key learnings from this event. In this report, you can read a summary of the presentations delivered by: 

  • Education Scotland: Setting the scene for learning environments
  • Dundee City Council: Case study of East End Community Campus
  • North Ayrshire Council: Case study of Montgomorie Park Primary School
  • Scottish Borders Council with Stallan-Brand: Case study of Galashiels Academy and Peebles High School

Shared Learning Event: Connecting learning environments with learner experiences

Download this report to read key learnings captured from June, 2023 shared learning event on the lessons learnt from connecting learning environments with learner experiences.

(Published June 2023)

Pupils from St Mary Dunblane, smiling at the camera during their Climate Ready School Grounds workshop session.

Shared Learning Event: Outdoor learning

Held online in October 2023, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT around the theme of outdoor learning which was born out of discussions and areas of interested raised in previous Shared Learning Events.

This event brought together 75 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from Scottish Government learning Directorate

Image credit: Malcolm Cochrane Photography

What is included in this report

The report summarises the key learnings from this event. In this report, you can read a summary of the presentations delivered by: 

  • Education Scotland
  • Queen Margaret University
  • Learning Through Landscapes
  • Levenmouth Academy

Shared Learning Event: Outdoor learning

Download this report to read key learnings captured from June, 2023 shared learning event outdoor learning.

(Published October 2023)

Header image credit: Product School on Unsplash

Support for the Learning Estate

We are here to help local authorities, schools and communities to work together to achieve the goals of the Learning Estate Investment Programme. We are offering early-stage place planning and design support to education authorities, national partners and schools in Scotland at no cost. Contact us to express your interest in our support for the learning estate.

Get in touch