As works progress at the jmarchitects-designed Wallyford Learning Campus, the team welcome pupils and teachers from local schools to experience a large scale construction site, witness the trades involved and gain a sneak preview of the inspiring learning and community spaces taking shape ahead of the buildings handover this summer.

One of the key briefing strategies and design drivers for the project was to adopt a new vocational approach to education to ease the transition and create pathways for young learners moving from the school environment to the workplace or higher education. Our client at East Lothian Council together with Morrison Construction felt it was important to embrace this and invite Design & Technology pupils from the surrounding schools to experience the spaces under construction and engage with the design team on board.

Pupils were given a presentation by Project Architect and former Ross High pupil Adelle before taking a walk out on the park with Construction Manager Graeme. This allowed them to witness the spaces being formed at various stages of construction and observe the trades involved. The visit outlined the design process and software utilised in the coordination of the BIM model along with highlighting the many career paths available within the construction industry.

Commissioned by East Lothian Council through Hub South East Scotland, this £47m project comprises the design and construction of a modern facility for education and community which is both flexible and utilised all year round providing ‘a Place for the Community to meet and learn together’.

“Understanding your options and experiencing the working environment first hand is key when considering any career path. For S5 & S6 pupils this can be a daunting time and I was delighted to give both the pupils along with two of my former Design & Technology teachers an insight into my journey since leaving Ross High and my career as an Architect.” Adelle, jmarchitects Senior Architect.

“I would like to thank Adelle and the team at the new Wallyford Campus for the presentation and the tour, it was hugely beneficial in giving real-life examples to the software the students are using in class and for them to see how these computer packages are used in industry to create such an exciting new school. The students really enjoyed the experience and the fact Adelle was a former pupil of Ross High it has given them a real lift, I know many are now keener that ever, to find a future career in this Industry.” Russell Wallace, PT Design & Technology, Ross High School.

“I know how impressive the Wallyford Learning Campus site is from my own visits so I am delighted that young people are being invited in to learn more about the process of delivering such a major development. It’s lovely to see that it’s a former East Lothian pupil who is inspiring our current learners! I’m grateful to teams and partners working on the project for their efforts to ensure our this investment already benefits our communities before the building formally opens.” Councillor Fiona Dugdale, Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services

For more information on this project: https://jmarchitects.net/wallyford-learning-campus/