How can our learning estate create inclusive routes that enable every learner to thrive? Inspired by the Scottish Government’s new Sensory-inclusive Learning Environments guide, this panel discussion explores the untapped potential within mainstream design. Drawing on the latest Scottish Government guidance, the session brings together perspectives from authorship, design and delivery to discuss how inclusive principles can be embedded across projects.

This session explores how collaboration, sustainability and place-led design are shaping the future of Scotland’s learning estate. Through case studies including Paisley Grammar School Community Campus, Currie Community High School and Peebles High School, speakers will share practical insights into delivering inclusive, adaptable and community-focused learning environments that support educational attainment, wellbeing and lifelong learning.

This session explores the delivery of net zero learning environments through both policy and practice, combining an overview of the Scottish Government’s Net Zero Public Sector Buildings Standard, including its application, benefits, and future development, alongside insights from the Passivhaus-designed Faifley Campus project.

This session will provide a comprehensive view of how data-driven decision-making can support both the transformation of existing assets and the delivery of future-ready learning environments. Attendees will gain practical tools, evidence-based insights and strategic guidance to help shape resilient, low-carbon education estates that meet the challenges and opportunities of the decade ahead.

How can universities create better learning environments while making smarter use of their existing estates? Bringing together Queen Margaret University and the University of Glasgow, this session explores how innovative design, stakeholder engagement, real-time data and operational intelligence are transforming teaching, study and social spaces.

From reimagining learning environments to deploying smart sensors and unlocking actionable insights in weeks, discover how universities can improve student experience, optimise space and energy use, avoid unnecessary capital investment and create more flexible, sustainable campuses. The session concludes with a practical blueprint for turning design ambition and real-world intelligence into measurable outcomes.

Great school campuses are critical social and ecological infrastructure. This campfire session explores how decision makers - clients, contractors, local authorities, and policy makers can build teams to face the challenges that lie ahead. We explore how a properly integrated and landscape-led design team can create excellent and resilient places for learning that also support ecology, society, health and well-being, placemaking, active travel and community wealth building. In the session we will challenge the traditional roles and make up of design teams and explore new ways more dynamic ways of creating learning places.

Details to follow

This session explores how learning environments can better support wellbeing, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all learners. Drawing on research, lived experience and real-world case studies, speakers will examine how thoughtful design can help address the increasingly complex social, emotional and sensory needs of children and young people.

Through case studies and experience from across England, Wales, and Scotland, speakers in this session will share lessons learnt on school delivery frameworks, capacity planning, and investment strategies for future learning estates.

Focusing on “building pathways,” this session will explore how collaborative partnerships can provide young people with tailored support and flexible learning opportunities, helping to reduce uncertainty about the future while building confidence, motivation, and resilience. Saint PHNX, a Scottish charity, will showcase how its Happy Place Workshops harness music and creativity to improve wellbeing. North Lanarkshire Council will reflect on how an 11-year partnership has helped remove barriers and widen opportunities for young people navigating their next steps. Morrison Construction graduates and apprentices will share first-hand experiences of how the development programme has supported their personal development and technical achievement.

This session explores how learning can extend beyond traditional classroom boundaries to create meaningful pathways into lifelong learning, community participation and future careers. Through examples of place-based learning, outdoor education and industry-led programmes, speakers will demonstrate how collaboration between schools, communities and employers can build confidence, resilience, skills and aspiration among young people.