Wates Construction will develop design and build proposals for three schools in London after it was named preferred bidder for a £78M contract by the Education Funding Agency (EFA).
Work on the schools in Barking, Dagenham and Newham will be carried out under the Agency’s Priority School Building Programme (PSBP).
If proposals developed by Wates meet the EFA’s criteria, the firm will build brand new school buildings for Little Ilford School in Newham and Eastbrook School in Dagenham with capacities for 1,525 and 2,900 students respectively. Building work at Little Ilford School is expected to begin in Spring this year.
Wates will also provide facilities for the expansion of Eastbury School in Barking to accommodate 1,800 students, including a two form-entry primary school.
Wates’ group strategy director and managing director for government affairs Stephen Beechey said: “Wates’ role in the delivery of the EFA’s Priority School Building Programme has had some exceptional results to date, most significantly of which is the praise the completed projects have received from teachers and students alike.
“The ultimate objective of the programme is to address the significant needs at those schools buildings in the worst condition across the country within tight funding limits but without compromising on quality.”
This latest appointment appointment sees Wates build on its current work for the EFA, which includes batches of PSBP projects across Coventry, the North West and East of England.