Conference Programme

Leading clients, alongside their project teams, will share their experiences and insights from delivering innovative Special Education Needs (SEN) projects. They will explore the challenges and opportunities involved in designing inclusive, supportive learning environments that meet the diverse needs of learners.

Adaptive and flexible design is transforming the way we create learning environments - as the needs of education cohorts evolve, schools must be designed to respond. This session will highlight how thoughtful, adaptable design can deliver environments that are resilient, inclusive, and ready for change.

In this quick-fire session, speakers share practical ideas for transforming school grounds into climate-smart, biodiverse, and inspiring learning spaces. From QMU’s evidence on fostering real nature connection, to Learning through Landscapes’ hands-on climate action tips, to erz’s creative design solutions for biodiversity and play, and HLM’s lessons from four sustainable schools in Ireland, this session is packed with rapid insights to inspire action.

With ambitious targets being set around net zero commitments and the capital cost of decarbonisation interventions being unaffordable, how can we accelerate net zero outcomes, whilst considering embodied carbon and resilience?

Architects and designers tend to be ocular, and focus, understandably, on form, light, colour and textures. Sound has none of these elements yet plays a vital role in the successful function of an inclusive learning environment. Learning, focus, well-being, memory, behaviour, aspiration and progression are all positively affected by an optimal, sustainable acoustic design. This presentation will cover all forms of construction including refurbishment using case studies from N.Ireland, Scotland and England.

This session showcases how two major projects are delivering net zero education buildings, highlighting successes and offering practical lessons learned on balancing sustainability targets with educational needs. HLM Architects share how Trent View College achieved net zero through Passivhaus design, energy-efficient systems, and collaborative approaches. The Fife College Campus team outlines how they tackled operational and embodied carbon while helping shape Scotland’s Net Zero Public Building Standards.

This session explores how thoughtful, tailored design can create learning environments that foster well-being, inclusion, and life readiness, offering practical strategies and inspiring examples of how school and college spaces can play a pivotal role in supporting both well-being and successful transitions to adulthood.

In partnership with the Department of Education, the Gala Dinner will be a prestigious night where the education sector will come together, and it will be an excellent opportunity to network with your peers whilst enjoying a luxurious 3-course meal.