The Scottish Government has announced its support for the Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) schools design programme.

Fiona Hyslop, the Education Secretary, opened an exhibition with blueprints for futuristic school designs in Glasgow. It features ideas for schools with no corridors, flexible walls and hexagonal classrooms.

Launching the programme, at The Lighthouse in Glasgow, Fiona Hyslop, said: "Many things have a positive impact on pupils’ learning but one of these is, undoubtedly, being taught in the right environment - one that is high quality, user friendly and well equipped.

"That's why we’re funding Architecture and Design Scotland to work with councils to help them get the best results from their building programmes. By championing great design and providing support, they will be able to help share good practice throughout Scotland."

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One of the designs unveiled in the exhibition includes a "village" of classrooms, without corridors, underneath an Eden Project-type roof. This would help create extra teaching spaces and remove anonymous 'dead' spaces.

The Scottish Government commissioned the Architecture and Design Scotland project to help councils get the best out of the future building projects.

Children from throughout Scotland, including Stirling, West Lothian, North Lanarkshire all shared ideas under a number of themes including active play, additional support needs and science.

Sebastian Tombs, Chief Executive A+DS, said of the announcement: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of engaging with councils to raise both awareness and ambition in the design of our schools. Schools that we will be proud for Scotland’s children to learn in - and that are at the heart of their communities. Communities are better by design.”

The exhibition, called 'The Senses of Place: Building Excellence' will run at the Lighthouse in Glasgow until 13 April.

(JM)