Wates Construction has been given a £22.8 million school contract in Newham as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP).

The Education Funding Agency (EFA) and Wates reached financial close on the Little Ilford School in Newham.

With construction now underway, the new build project will comprise a 10,703 sq m. four-storey secondary education facility that will see the school increase its capacity from 1,350 to 1,525 for students aged 11 to 16 years.

Designed by CPMG, the new building will incorporate a sports hall extension and a multi-use facilities.The new school has been designed utilising Wates’ Adapt Schools Solutions model, a standardised solution that facilitates the time and cost efficient delivery of new school buildings.

The Little Ilford contract forms part of the EFA’s £78 million batch of schools being delivered in Barking, Dagenham and Newham under the PSBP, which also includes Eastbrook School in Dagenham and Eastbury School in Barking. Wates was appointed to deliver the batch in January this year.

Since the EFA’s launch of the capitally funded PSBP, Wates has been appointed as main contractor to deliver over £100 million of new and refurbished school buildings on behalf of the EFA. These include schools in Coventry, the North West and East of England.

Ian Vickers, Managing Director for Wates Construction, Home Counties, said: “This project will once again showcase our commitment to delivering high quality educational facilities under the Priority Schools Building Programme.”