East Renfrewshire pupils hack their way to learning success

An exhibition looking at how school pupils and teachers can use simple tools and exercises to improve the spaces they learn in opened this week at The Lighthouse, Glasgow.

And youngsters at the Thornliebank school have been involved in the project, working with a designer on their own ideas.

The Learner Journey Exhibition looks at how the Tests of Change programme, promoted by Architecture and Design Scotland, has helped schools test and implement changes to their learning spaces – testing them through ‘space hacks’.

Diarmaid Lawlor, Head of Place at Architecture and Design Scotland, said; “Our focus is to help explore and test ideas for new and existing spaces. The process gives the learner a sense of ownership and makes the most of the spaces we already have.

“This exhibition showcases the learner journey from four schools. It features the Tests of Change process which uses high impact/low-cost, sustainable interventions any school can use to improve their learning and teaching environments.”

A special feature in the exhibition is the display of furniture that was co-designed by pupils and Glasgow-based designer Alice Jacobs, founder of Flux Laser and CNC Studios.

Alice worked with pupils from Our Lady of the Missions Primary School to draw up a brief, test ideas and to help make some of the furniture.

Ms Jacobs said: “Co-designing furniture solutions with primary age children was something a little out of the ordinary!

“The pupils get the opportunity to think differently about design and how they approach furniture – they can see it is achievable to create their own.

“The furniture doesn’t need to be bought out of a catalogue or off a shelf. They can go out and learn the skills so they can create it themselves.”

The Tests of Change process builds on the ‘Inspiring Learning Spaces’ initiative delivered by the Scottish Futures Trust and funded by the Scottish Government.

The exhibition on Level 2, The Lighthouse, runs until October 14.