West Calder learning space is so inspired

School’s new idea

A special learning project has been launched at a West Lothian school.

The Inspired Learning Space project at West Calder High has brought together the public and private sector to design and deliver an environment, that provides flexibility and prepares pupils for learning and work in the 21st century. Inspired Learning will help decide how teaching spaces are organised in the new £ 32 million West Calder High School when it opens in August 2018. Executive councillor for education Lawrence Fitzpatrick joined with West Calder High School pupils and specially invited guests to officially open the new Inspired Learning Space recently.

Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “The new £32 million West Calder High School is our largest single ever investment in education, and we want to make it the most modern, imaginative school in Scotland.

“The Inspired Learning Space project will help shape the classrooms and learning that takes place in the new school as we look to engage pupils and teachers to help create the best possible environment for learning.”

Inspired Learning has been funded thanks to a £250,000 grant from the Scottish Futures Trust’s Innovations fund, with Hub South East, Morrison Construction, Esh Border Construction, Deanestor furniture, Norr Architects, Wardell Armstrong and WGM Engineering all supporting the project. Gemma Boggs, schools programme director at the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), said: “The space here at West Calder, demonstrates what can be achieved when you think differently and engage the pupils to deliver a better education environment and we are looking forward to further spaces like this being replicated in the new West Calder High School, which is due to open as part of the Scotland’s Schools for the Future Programme in 2018.”