Dumfries High School

Specialist contractors working on a new high school in Dumfries have shown the ongoing benefits of technical and learning support when it comes to delivering low energy construction. Having already used the A. Proctor Group’s external air barrier, Wraptite®, on a previous project, they have now applied that experience to another LEIP-funded school project.

Dumfries High School is a replacement school currently under construction. It is the second phase of a three-phase project, with an all-weather sports pitch already completed. When it is occupied in 2026, the £53 million project will serve over 900 pupils, as well as providing community facilities.

Designed by Ryder Architecture, delivered by hub South West Scotland, and built by main contractor Morgan Sindall Construction, the new facility features sustainable design, energy efficient systems, and inspiring facilities – including the new David Keswick Athletics Centre.

Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) featured 25 projects, of which Dumfries High School was one. Thanks to the inclusion of energy efficiency measures in the building fabric, plus low energy M&E systems, the project is aiming for a LEIP band A energy target.

As a self-adhesive membrane that is both airtight and vapour permeable, Wraptite is designed to contribute to precisely this kind of building performance and fabric specification. Although Dumfries High School is not targeting Passivhaus certification, Wraptite’s credentials are boosted by its status as a Passivhaus-certified component.

Installed to the outside face of external walls, Wraptite helps to achieve higher standards of airtightness by simplifying detailing and reducing the number of penetrations. At the same time, its vapour permeability allows the passage of moisture vapour out of the structure, avoiding any increase in condensation risk.

The Wraptite membrane at Dumfries High School was the responsibility of specialist contractors Cairnhill Structures, as part of designing, supplying and installing the complete structural framing system and other associated works.

For Cairnhill Structures, they had previously used Wraptite on another school project. “We installed it on the Monifieth Learning Campus project,” said Carlos Simoes, Contracts Manager – Framing at Cairnhill Structures. “As part of that project, we arranged an installation and training workshop at our factory in Coatbridge with Linda Kay and Lewis Stanley.”

Linda and Lewis are Regional Sales Manager and Business Development Manager (High Rise & Facades) at the Proctor Group respectively.

Training delivered for one project carries over to all subsequent projects, which is a significant benefit when looking to deliver consistent quality and achieve low energy performance that will last for the life of these important education buildings.

Experience is particularly vital when it comes to working with the variable nature of the Scottish climate. “Installation during the Scottish winter can be particularly difficult,” noted Carlos. “However, as Wraptite is self-adhesive, installation is a relatively simple and fast process. It also provided excellent weather protection for following trades.”

While the Proctor Group had delivered training on a previous project, support did not end there, as Carlos described: “Linda visited site on several occasions throughout the installation process to carry out site inspections.”