Contractor confirms it has beaten Wates on contract to refurbish 14 schools and to construct a high school

Balfour Beatty has confirmed that it has been appointed as preferred bidder by Ealing council for its £300m PPP Building Schools for the Future programme, as revealed on Building.co.uk last week.

The company beat Wates to the contract which involves the upgrading and expansion of 14 of the borough's schools, the construction of a new high school in north Greenford as well as investment in information communications technology in three further schools.

The initial phase of construction, which will begin in October with the complete rebuild of Dormers Wells High School, Southall, and the partial rebuild and remodel of The Cardinal Wiseman RC School, Greenford. Upgrades of the other schools will take place between 2011 and 2013.

Ian Tyler, chief executive of Balfour Beatty said: "This preferred bidder award demonstrates Balfour Beatty's continuing strength and expertise in the education sector and is an excellent opportunity for us to draw on the extensive experience gained from our 11 existing PPP education projects."

All construction and facilities management will be carried out by Balfour Beatty. ICT services will be provided in conjunction with RM, providers of ICT educational solutions.