Kelso High School, Bowmont Street, Kelso

Kelso High School, built in 1936 by Reid and Forbes, is an Art Deco style school comprising two blocks with flat roofs and towers. The building is constructed of harled brick with sandstone dressings. Notable features include base courses, moulded cills to the first-floor windows, eaves band courses, and low relief detailing on the towers and doors, seemingly inspired by South American designs.

The principal block’s south-east (entrance) elevation is a two-storey symmetrical range with a central tower and single-storey blocks attached to the outer left and right. An advanced open porch with a broad canopy shelters an architraved doorway with decorative two-leaf panelled doors. Flanking the porch are advanced blocks with three windows each, and three windows behind the porch at the first floor. The tower above the porch features canopied bell louvres and a clock, accented with Aztec-style detailing. The ranges flanking the tower each have three large windows on each floor. Stylized doorpieces with carved decorative panels are located to the outer left and right of the ranges. Later blocks adjoin the outer left side.

The north-west (rear) elevation is also a symmetrical two-storey range with an advanced bay at the centre and single-storey cloakroom blocks attached to pavilions on the outer left and right. A band course runs at the lintel level of the first floor. Steps lead to a central doorway, flanked by windows. There are three bays to the left and right, with large windows at ground level, smaller windows at ground level, smaller windows at first floor, and two-pane windows above the band course. Windows are present on the first floor of the pavilion blocks.

The science block has a U-shaped plan. The south-east (entrance) elevation includes an entrance tower connected to a nine-bay range. The detailing of the entrance tower resembles that of the main clock tower, and incorporates an advanced doorpiece and stairwindow surround, as well as moulded quoin strips. A polygonal corner window is situated at ground level to the outer right, with windows on both floors in the remaining bays.

The south-west elevation features an advanced ground floor with a semi-circular block to the outer right, an architraved doorway with two-leaf panelled doors, and strip windows to both ground and first floors. The north-east elevation has a three-bay range with a partially glazed roof, adjoining a later four-bay range. The north-west elevation comprises the two ranges that form the U-plan, featuring lying-pane fixed and casement metal windows with border glazing, all under a flat roof.

The interior foyer includes glazed doors with Art Deco handles, a geometric polished granite floor with decorative corner details, original light fittings, and a plain cornice.