Constructing the future

The future of Scotland's learning environments will be on the agenda when professionals gather for the first Education Buildings Scotland Exhibition

Posted by Charley Rogers | September 24, 2017 | Facilities & buildings

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The inaugural Education Buildings Scotland Exhibition and Conference, which will be held later this year in Edinburgh, will bring together a range of stakeholders to discuss ideas, challenges and solutions for the design, build, management and maintenance of education buildings in Scotland. The two-day event will take place on November 21 and 22 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and is being delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Education Buildings Scotland will see professionals from across the early years, schools, colleges and universities sectors coming together under one roof to promote best practice. The event is aimed at a wide range of visitors from across the education sector including head teachers, business managers, educationalists, architects, estates and facilities directors, chief executives, directors/heads of education, heads of service/resource/property, local and national government, construction industry professionals, contractors, developers, advisors and the wider education supply chain.

Event sponsors include Morrison Construction, Portakabin, VELUX and Scott Brownrigg. A keynote stage in the exhibition hall will host a number of speakers including Paul McGirk, Chief Executive at Hub South East; John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills; Joyce White, Chief Executive of West Dunbartonshire Council and Barry White, Chief Executive of Scottish Futures Trust.

There is no other event like this where Scottish education professionals will be coming together under one roof 

A series of 16 conference sessions will also be held across the two days. Examples include ‘Value of Good Design’, which will be chaired by Andy Dailly, the Scottish Government’s Head of School Building, with speakers Steven Quinn, Assistant Director of Renfrewshire Council and Henry McKeown and Ian Alexander from jmarchitects.

Another session, ‘Pupil/Student Experience’, will ask what changes students would make if they were in charge of their university estate, while the ‘Condition & Suitability of our Learning Environments’ session will focus on refreshing the current School Estate Core Fact Guidance for condition and suitability.

Coinciding with the event will be the Education Buildings Scotland Awards Dinner, which will be held on November 21 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. The awards will celebrate excellence and achievement in the industry across a total of eight award categories: Inspiring Learning Spaces; Pupil/Student Experience; Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Education Facility; Project of the Year; Client of the Year; Contractor of the Year; Architectural Practice of the Year and Consultancy of the Year. Welsh Rugby World Cup Referee, Nigel Owens, is the after-dinner speaker for the evening.

Event Director James Lee believes the time is right for Scotland to have its own dedicated event for education professionals. “There is no other event like this where Scottish education professionals will be coming together under one roof for two days. I look forward to welcoming you all at the EICC this November,” said James. The exhibition is free to all visitors and delegates. The conference is complimentary for those directly employed in early years, schools, colleges, universities, national and local government and other public services in Scotland. Delegate rates apply for everyone else wishing to attend the conference. 

Education Buildings Scotland takes place from November 21-22. To register, go to educationbuildings.scot