New School Opening in Dumfries
A new £56 million secondary school in Dumfries is set to open its doors to pupils on Friday.
The old Dumfries High School building, once attended by global superstar Calvin Harris, was described as being at the "end of life" more than five years ago.
Its replacement forms part of the second phase of a comprehensive overhaul of all four secondary schools in the town, a process that began more than a decade ago.
Hundreds of pupils will transition to the new building, with plans to demolish the old school in due course.
Community Reaction
Tracey Little, chair of the education committee and a former pupil of Dumfries High, described the occasion as a "momentous day" for the school community.
"It is a momentous day for the school community," said Tracey Little.
Background of the Project
The project originated following an unsuccessful bid to establish a new "super school" in Dumfries for all S4 to S6 pupils in the town, an initiative first proposed in 2011.
Instead, a revised plan was developed to upgrade or replace the existing four secondary schools.
The first phase, which began in 2016, included the upgrade of St Joseph's College and the construction of the North West Community Campus. However, the latter experienced several safety issues that led to its closure shortly after opening.
Additionally, a learning hub known as The Bridge was established during this phase.
Phase Two and Current Status
Phase two faced revisions due to financial constraints, but the new Dumfries High School building is now operational.
Construction on this project commenced in April 2024, and the school was completed in just over two years.
The remaining work, including the demolition of the original 1960s school building and landscaping of open and green spaces, is scheduled for completion by spring next year.
The school is equipped with fibre broadband delivered directly to classrooms and has the capacity to accommodate 900 pupils and 100 staff members.
Community Sports Facilities
The community sports facilities within the building will be managed by Greystone Rovers, who have maintained a long-standing agreement with the school.
