The facility is being delivered by hub South West on behalf of Dumfries & Galloway Council and in partnership with Graham Construction.

The project will create a major new building to the periphery of Dalbeattie town, providing an “All Through” learning campus, comprising Nursery, Primary and Secondary education, with inclusive pupil support within an innovative, landscaped setting.

Features of the Holmes Miller-designed campus include new learning and teaching areas, new classrooms, shared dining and assembly space, a primary hall and new sports/fitness facilities.

The shared campus will be used by a new Dalbeattie High School, Dalbeattie Primary School and Nursery.

Council leader Ronnie Nicholson said: “Providing the best start in life for all our children is a priority for our Council and Dalbeattie Learning Campus is key to this. Our new school campus will transform learning and teaching for pupils and staff with a nursery playroom, primary and secondary classrooms, flexible teaching spaces, shared dining and assembly space, a primary hall, specialist teaching areas, sport and fitness facilities, and innovatively designed external spaces for learning and play. I’m delighted that we’ve now signed the contracts. Our council can now deliver for the young people of Dalbeattie a first class learning environment, fit for the 21st century.”

David MacDonald, hub programme director, Scottish Futures Trust, said: “The hub programme is an innovative approach to develop and deliver best-value community facilities which provides public bodies with a quick, efficient and value for money way of getting their projects into construction and helps secure and sustain local employment. I very much look forward to seeing construction start on the Dalbeattie Learning Campus shortly and to seeing pupils being taught in modern, first-class facilities.”

Infrastructure secretary Keith Brown added: “This is an important milestone for the Dalbeattie community, who will see the work get under way on their new state-of-the-art learning campus in a matter of weeks.

“In addition to the educational benefits of the new school, it will boost the local economy through construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.”

Others involved in the project include mechanical & electrical engineer Cundall, civil & structural engineer Woolgar Hunter, CDM co-ordintator Sweett Group and FM contractor FES Limited.

The new Dalbeattie Learning facility is scheduled to open in Autumn 2017.