Wates Construction and the Education Funding Agency (EFA) have reached contract close on the £16.7 million Eastbury School in Barking.

This is the second school in the Barking, Dagenham and Newham batch of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP).

The project will comprise a new 420 capacity primary school with 26 nursery places and a 1,800-place secondary school that will replace the ageing accommodation.

Designed by CPMG, the new buildings will feature state-of-the art classrooms, with the secondary school also including modern science laboratories. Following completion, some of the former school buildings will be demolished and replaced with landscaped grounds and new sports facilities.

Hand over and occupation of the primary school is due for September 2016 and for the secondary school early 2017.

The schools have been designed utilising Wates’ Adapt Schools Solutions model, a standardised solution that facilitates the time and cost efficient delivery of new school buildings.

The Eastbury contract forms part of the EFA’s Barking, Dagenham and Newham batch being delivered through the PSBP, which also includes Little Ilford School in Newham and Eastbrook School in Dagenham.

Ian Vickers, Regional Managing Director for Wates Construction, Home Counties & the East, said: “We’re delighted to once again be utilising our experience to deliver a further school in partnership with the EFA.

“We’ve worked closely with the EFA to create a cost efficient and inspiring learning environment for staff and pupils to utilise as a platform for success for many years to come.”