Designs for new Dumfries High unveiled to public
The new high school faces an £11million funding shortfall following a rise in construction costs
Last updated 30th Jan 2024
The first glimpse of the future for a new-look Dumfries High School has been revealed to the public.
The images come from a two-minute video presentation on the school designs, which were shared at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s education committee last week.
Councillors and colleagues were impressed by the vision of what the new school could like when it is due to be completed by the summer of 2025.
In the meantime, council chiefs are working hard behind the scenes to try and attract the highest level of Scottish Government LEIP (learning estate investment programme) funding to make the modern school development proposals a reality.
New building faces £11million funding shortfall
Maximum government support has been described as being “absolutely critical” because the construction costs, which were originally estimated at £45m, now stand at £56m.
Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward described the school designs as “fantastic”, and added: “What a difference – to put it bluntly!”
The Labour councillor then asked if the council was taking all steps to ensure that criteria was being met in order to secure Scottish Government LEIP funding to help pay for the new school.
Larann Foss, the council’s schools estate manager, said: “Absolutely – and that’s critical. To make sure we attract the highest level of funding support over the 25-year period, we have to do that.”
Mr Foss then explained that the council had already met two out of four funding criteria requirements: being digitally connected and the economic growth/new jobs created as part of the school redevelopment.
The two “slightly more challenging” requirements for funding are around the energy efficiency of the facility and delivering a commitment that the building stays in a very good state of repair for the first 25 years.”
New school to feature a 3G pitch as well as wellbeing gardens
The new Dumfries High School will accommodate over 900 pupils, with the build taking place on the existing site, and the construction work is being led by Morgan Sindall Construction and Ryder Architecture, who have designed the new school.
In addition to leading PE and STEM facilities, the school campus site is to also include a 3G pitch with viewing terrace, science and wellbeing gardens and parking spaces.
The plans are also for the school site to include new sports accommodation to replace the existing David Keswick Athletics Centre.
With the school development currently facing an £11m funding shortfall, councillors agreed to make a request to the council’s finance, procurement and transformation committee on February 8 for additional capital cash to be put towards the project.