Learning locally: co-designing sustainable learning settings
Learning from our pilot project in Armadale West Lothian to test the delivery of the "Learning for Sustainability policy in our places.
Aim of the pilot
This project supports the delivery of the Scottish Government's 'Learning for Sustainability Policy' in our places and communities, by co-designing sustainable learning settings with educators and learners. We worked at a local level on a pilot in Armadale West Lothian to understand lessons that could be transferable nationally.
In essence, the work asks what we can learn from our local areas to understand concepts of sustainability and the changing climate, including the circular economy, energy, mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, and food growth. It aims to develop a strong understanding for learners on how to act on the changing climate in their local area, creating opportunities to get involved. It also explores how schools can make better use of their school grounds and local communities as 'sustainable learning settings'.
In Armadale, taking part in the process has led to these three outcomes:
- Better links between education settings and community planning with all five schools in the town now involved in a street trees project.
- A high school student taking up a place on Armadale Community Council.
- The young people’s place standard result informing community planning and a local place plan.
What is included and who it is for
The Learning Locally publication shares a practical framework for delivering Learning for Sustainability in our local areas. It outlines a co-designed approach to identifying sustainable learning settings, engaging learners and educators, and connecting local action to national policy.
This resource is ideal for:
- educators working across early years, primary, and secondary levels
- community councils that are seeking to invovle local pupils in place plan or action plan consultations
- community planning teams or organisations
- sustainability and community charities
Inside, you will find:
- how we worked together with three primary schools in Armadale to identify potential sustainable learning settings in their town
- a methodology for working with learners and educators to apply this approach in their own area using the Place Standard tool
- a matrix to map findings against the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- replicable learning activities and resources
- strategic applications ranging from informing local place planning to understanding needs for new or amalgamated schools
- how learning locally works with the four key capacities for the Curriculum for Excellence
Additional resources
For Learners
Worksheets that help young people explore their local area through themes like nature, transport, safety, and community. Includes climate lens questions to deepen understanding.
For Teachers
Facilitation guide with prompts and climate-focused questions to support learners in using the Place Standard tool. Ideal for classroom or outdoor learning.
Place Standard wheel – Young People’s version
A visual scoring tool to help learners reflect on different aspects of their place.
(Please note that the resources here are specficially designed for printing and not online use)
Pupil worksheet
A simple and engaging activity sheet for pupils to assess their school grounds in terms of nature, play, and design.
Teacher toolkit
Guidance and prompts to support outdoor learning and discussion around climate, play, and school ground design.
(Please note that the resources here are specifically designed for printing and not online use.)
A matrix to help identify local opportunities for sustainability learning, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
(Please note that the resources here are specifically designed for printing and not online use.)
How to use these resources
These tools are designed to be flexible and adaptable. Whether you are working in a classroom, planning a local consultation, or designing a new learning space, they can help you:
- engage learners in meaningful explorations of their school grounds and local area
- connect sustainability themes to local contexts
- inform planning and decision-making with young people's insights
All images credited to Architecture and Design Scotland. Main header image of pupils from Armadale Primary School during a walk around in Blackmoss.
We would like to acknowledge the support of the following in developing this work
West Lothian Council Community Regeneration and Education Teams, Armadale Primary School, Eastertoun Primary School and St Anthony’s Primary School, The Dale Hub and subsequently Armadale Community Council.