Shared learning events: Learning Estate Investment Programme
Read about the Learning Estate Investment Programme and how it helps shape great learning environments.
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.
- Shared learning event: construction embodied carbon (August 2024)
- Shared learning event: completed LEIP projects - lessons learned (March 2024)
- Shared learning event: outdoor learning (October 2023)
- Shared learning event: connecting learning environments with learner experiences (June, 2023)
- Shared learning event: refurbishments (March, 2022)
- Shared learning event: energy targets and energy efficiency (August, 2021)
- Shared learning event: objective setting, quality, standard information plan and community benefits (May, 2021)
- LEIP: phase 2 project launch (March, 2021)
- Shared learning event: LEIP phase 1 (December, 2020)
Shared Learning Event: Construction Embodied Carbon
Held online in August 2024, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT to promote discussion and sharing of best practice around the theme of Construction Embodied Carbon.
This event brought together 130 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from Scottish Government Learning Directorate.
Image: Dunfermline Learning Campus provided by Fife Council and credited to Keith Hunter 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 in case study format delivered by:
- Leanne Hannah from ARMILA Sustainability Services
- Lindsey Mitchell & Golnaz Ighany from BDP on Chryston High School Extension
- Alan Paul & John Peden from Fife Council on Fife Council’s journey towards Net Zero and Passivhaus
Shared Learning Event: Completed LEIP Projects and lessons learned
Held online in March 2024, we hosted a shared learning event with SFT showcasing completed LEIP projects and lessons learned which was born out of discussions and areas of interest raised in previous events.
This event brought together 100 delegates from Local Authorities across Scotland, including representatives from Scottish Government Learning Directorate.
Image: Wallyford Learning Campus provided by JM Architects and credited to David Cadzow.
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 in case study format delivered by:
- Perth & Kinross Council with Architype on Riverside Primary School
- West Lothian Council with Norr on Beatlie School Campus
- East Lothian Council with JM Architects on Wallyford Learning Campus
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: 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: 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: 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: 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
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 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
Header image credit: Product School on Unsplash