High School will open in May

THE keys to the new-build Dumfries High School will finally be handed over next May – a month later than expected.

The £53.2m project is 75 per cent completed, according to Dumfries and Galloway Council officers, and earlier this year the construction work was reportedly six weeks ahead of schedule.

However, it has now slipped behind because additional checks will have to be carried out before completion is signed off.

Karen Brownlie, the council’s interim assistant director of transport and infrastructure, provided an update at the economy and infrastructure committee on Tuesday,

She told councillors: “The report currently says that the new building will be handed over to the school in April 2026.

“Through further work this week, that date is now going to be May 2026.

“There is a four-week delay in there, which we are working with the contractor and school on, and that’s to do with ensuring we have got appropriate commissioning and testing in place before the building is handed over.”

An update report tabled at the meeting explains that construction works on site are “progressing well” otherwise.

The 3G pitch, which was already handed over in January this year, is getting close to the end of the defect’s liability period.

Meanwhile, the old janitor’s house was demolished during the summer holidays.

Once pupils and staff move into the new building, the next phase will commence which involves the demolition of the old school and the David Keswick Athletic Centre, followed by landscaping works.

Works commenced on site in April last year, led by the main contractor Morgan Sindall.

The new building will accommodate more than 900 pupils.

In addition to leading PE and STEM facilities, there will also be science and wellbeing gardens.

The plans are also for the school site to include new sports accommodation to replace the existing David Keswick Centre.

It was recently revealed that the new school building will lead the way in energy efficiency as an innovative material has been used.

Currently wrapped in the distinctive red Wraptite material, the construction is being hailed as a significant milestone in Scotland’s commitment to low-energy educational facilities.

Designed by Ryder Architecture, delivered by hub South West Scotland and built by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, the school will set a new benchmark for sustainable education buildings in Scotland.