Its construction will minimise waste and capitalise on resources.
The £2.5m contract will see the new school built on Kelvinside Academy’s Glasgow West End campus. The school will focus on real-world challenges and collaborative problem-solving, and is an open space for scientists, academics, entrepreneurs and roboticists.
Kelvinside Academy pupils are already benefiting from the partnership, with S4 and S5 pupil teams shadowing Balfour Beatty’s construction and design teams, learning from industry experts, attending meetings and providing input.
A topping-out ceremony recently celebrated the achievement of the building reaching its maximum height.
David Miller, director of Scotland’s School of Innovation, said: “This is a must for Scotland if it is to continue to punch above its weight in the global economy during these challenging times. We truly believe we can and will transform education in the United Kingdom. We live in a rapidly changing world and schools need to provide an education which prepares young people to look at things differently.
“Glasgow is the ideal place for the UK’s first innovation school. The city has a booming tech sector, is home to world-class universities and some of the world’s most creative and talented engineers, architects and designers. Our partnership with Balfour Beatty demonstrates the company’s desire to address a nationwide skills gap. Although central to pupils attending Kelvinside Academy, we intend for the Innovation School to have an impact throughout Scotland and beyond.”
Scotland’s School of Innovation will open in August. In the coming months, Kelvinside Academy will unveil a number of partnerships with key figures and bodies in industry and academia.
