Dumfries High School, Dumfries and Galloway
Bespoke Fitted Furniture Fit-Out at Dumfries High School
Location: Dumfries, Scotland
Sector: Education
Client: Dumfries & Galloway Council
Delivery Partner: Hub South West Scotland
Main Contractor: Morgan Sindall Construction
Architect: Ryder Architecture
Dumfries High School is a major new secondary education development delivered by Hub South West Scotland in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction and Dumfries & Galloway Council.
The replacement school was developed to provide a modern, purpose-built learning environment for more than 930 pupils. Constructed within the existing school site, the 9,650m² development brings together facilities previously spread across a disjointed collection of buildings, creating a more cohesive and future-focused campus.
The project was funded through the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP2) and Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Capital Investment Programme.
Deanestor was appointed to deliver a comprehensive fitted furniture package across 229 rooms on the ground, first and second floors, including the school’s sports block.
Comprehensive School Furniture Fit-Out
Deanestor manufactured, supplied and installed fitted furniture for a wide range of general and specialist teaching spaces throughout the new school.
The extensive room-by-room package included furniture for art rooms and studios, science laboratories, craft, design and technology facilities, and language and literature classrooms.
Deanestor commenced work on site in April 2025 and completed the installation in April 2026, in preparation for the planned opening of the school in summer 2026.
Furniture for Specialist Teaching Environments
A central objective of the development was to enhance opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics education.
The school was designed around a hub-and-spoke model, bringing specialist spaces and general teaching facilities together within a connected learning environment. Classrooms were equipped with modern technology to support in-person and digital learning, including learning opportunities for senior-phase pupils from across Dumfries & Galloway.
Deanestor supported this vision by providing furniture tailored to the practical requirements of each department. The package combined fitted storage, specialist work surfaces and integrated equipment to create functional teaching environments for a wide variety of activities.
Furniture and equipment provided included:
· Filing cabinets, double cupboards, base units, taps, bag storage and integrated sockets for biology laboratories.
· Base units with drawers, Trespa worktops and sink units for physics laboratories.
· Sinks, taps, Trespa worktops and noticeboards for art rooms and studios.
· Height-adjustable benches and specialist equipment, including a pillar drill, band facer with extraction and scroll saw, for craft, design and technology spaces.
· Spur shelving and filing pedestals for language and literature classrooms.
· Felt-faced aluminium noticeboards, conference tables and whiteboards.
Delivering Within an Existing School Site
A key consideration was the construction of the new school within the grounds of the existing Dumfries High School. Delivering a major new education facility alongside the existing buildings created a complex site environment that required careful planning and coordination throughout the programme.
Deanestor worked closely with Morgan Sindall Construction and the wider project team to coordinate the delivery and installation of furniture across the school. The extensive fit-out had to be carefully aligned with the sequencing and progress of the wider construction works. This coordinated approach enabled Deanestor to complete its installation in April 2026 as part of the programme for the new facility.
Project Team Testimonial
Jim Wilson, Project Director, Morgan Sindall Construction
“Morgan Sindall Construction worked closely with Deanestor throughout the delivery of the new Dumfries High School project. Their team demonstrated a proactive and collaborative approach from the early engagement and coordination stages through to manufacture, delivery and installation.
Deanestor worked constructively with the project team to develop and deliver solutions that met the requirements of the project, responding positively to programme demands and site coordination challenges throughout. The quality of the furniture and fit-out products supplied met the high standards required for a modern learning environment. Their commitment to delivering a quality finished product contributed to the successful completion of facilities that provide functional, durable and inspiring spaces for pupils and staff. We appreciated Deanestor’s professional approach and look forward to the opportunity to work together on future projects.”
Deanestor is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of fitted furniture for major education projects. From design and manufacture through to delivery and installation, our teams provide coordinated furniture solutions for general classrooms and highly specialised teaching environments.
