Perth Grammar pupils become house designers as part of industry partnership

The S1 year group from Perth Grammar School have designed a village of ‘homes for the future’ as part of an ongoing partnership with leading infrastructure company Robertson.

Following a series of twelve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) focused classes supported by Robertson and key supply chain partners, the pupils were challenged to design a home, drawing upon skills learned during sessions on science, engineering, marketing, interior design, insulation, roof trusses, landscaping and energy efficiency.

Many pupils focused on including sustainable elements in their designs, developing energy efficient designs with a low carbon footprint.

The activity is part of Robertson’s strategic partnership with the school – a formal agreement which includes a bespoke programme of placement opportunities, mentoring, employment events and skills building.

It comes as the Scottish Government published its ‘New Housing and Future Construction Skills – Adapting and Modernising for Growth’ report, which outlined the importance of STEM partnerships between education and industry in futureproofing the industry. Engagement at an early stage in secondary schools was a key recommendation.

Fiona Robertson, Head Teacher of Perth Grammar School, said: “The S1 pupils worked incredibly hard during this STEM initiative, and it is one of the many successes for our young people and the school  since the launch of our partnership with Robertson in June 2018.”

The top three teams were selected for the best design concepts which included consideration given to the construction of the build, interior design, landscaping, energy efficiency and sales.  After a morning of judging all of the pupils’ entries, Robertson presented pupils with Perth City Cards in recognition of the learning undertaken and skills developed.

Gemma Gourlay, Director of Social Sustainability for Robertson said: “There’s a growing number of specialisms becoming available in the built environment industry, and as we continue to diversify and develop our offering in areas including digital construction, strategic partnerships allow us to work with young people to introduce them to these skills.

“This was a tremendous programme for the school to undertake but also for Robertson Group to be involved with. For the pupils to consider all the different elements and the lessons they had learned over the year and be able to bring that together was really exciting. The groups did really well in understanding and conceptualising their thoughts and ideas in very creative ways.”

Robertson partnership with Perth Grammar is one of five strategic partnerships with schools and further education institutes across Scotland, with others including Bannockburn High School in Stirling, Elgin High School in Moray, Portlethen Academy in Aberdeenshire and Baldragon High School in Dundee.

The education partnerships form part of Robertson’s wider Young People Strategy, put in place to facilitate the development of young people at varying stages of their careers, actioned through high school and higher education partnerships, apprentice, trainee & graduate programmes and professional development schemes.