Exclusive: Contractors shortlisted for the first batch of priority schools to come to market in the North-west of England

Building understands Carillion and Bam Construct have been invited to bid for the first of two batches of schools in the North-west to come to market through the £400m directly-funded element of the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP).

The North-west 1 batch of schools, understood to be worth around £42m, comprises around eight schools in in Blackpool, Cheshire West, Halton, Manchester, and Tameside.

The second batch of schools in the North-west, worth around £25m, covering Liverpool, St Helens and Wirral, is also out to market, with two bidders expected to be invited to tender this month.

As exclusively revealed by Building last year, Sir Robert McAlpine won the first batch of PSBP schools in the North-east, with Wates picking up the first Midlands batch.

As revealed by Building last month, Kier and Bam have been shortlisted for the London batch of of schools and the second Midlands batch.