A £900,000 refurbishment project at Musselburgh Grammar School has been shortlisted for a national accolade.
The upgrade of the social and dining spaces is in the running for a Learning Places Scotland Award 2022.
The work was undertaken at the school to take account of the rising pupil role as a result of “growth within the area” due to new housebuilding.
Architecture and Design Scotland carried out a consultation on behalf of East Lothian Council to determine the requirements for the spaces.
Along with new toilet facilities, the size of the dining and social area have been almost doubled following the refurbishment. The revamped multi-functional space benefits from a new ceiling, lighting, decoration and flooring. Large screens and improved Wi-Fi have been installed, along with new furniture, “creating a versatile space for dining, socialising and learning with options of informal teaching or group working”.
The refurbishment programme is shortlisted in the Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Learning Space Award category alongside: Aberdeen City Council – Duthie Park Nursery; College – Learning and Innovation Hubs; Heriot Watt University – Dubai Campus; Fife Council – Levenmouth Academy; and University of Strathclyde – Learning and Teaching Project.
The accolades are the climax of a national two-day conference and exhibition run by Learning Places Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government next Tuesday and Wednesday. It focuses on sharing best practice in the design, funding, build and maintenance of the education estate from early years to higher and further education.
The team working on the new Wallyford Secondary Learning Campus will present the project on day one of the conference covering the partnership with Edinburgh College to co-locate further education within the building to offer improved employability pathways, outdoor learning opportunities and the establishment of a Regional Construction Skills Academy.
Commenting on Musselburgh Grammar’s nomination, Councillor Fiona Dugdale, cabinet member for education, families and children’s services, said: “All of the teams and contractors involved in this project worked hard to deliver spaces that would benefit the entire Musselburgh Grammar School community.
“The new social area is already proving popular with young people and the project has created a better, more inspiring space that can also be used for learning.”
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