It is the third and largest framework agreement for offsite construction to be established by the ESFA in a plan to revolutionise the way education buildings are specified, procured and delivered.

The agency hopes that modular construction will give it more cost effective delivery in the face of rising construction costs.

Procurement chiefs aim to select two preferred builders and one reserve to initially deliver three secondary scheme projects each worth over £20m.

The eventual programme will be extended and is expected to be worth up to £250m over four years.

It is also looking for a similar set up of firms to deliver smaller projects consisting of individual blocks to extend capacity at secondary schools.

The first tranche of eight projects is expected to be worth around £15m, with the total programme valued at £50m over the life of the framework.

Lot one will be used for higher value schemes and will include a bundle of projects worth around £20m, with potential for a pipeline of £250m.

So far the ESFA has let two other modular framework agreements for primary schools.

The Modular A framework, which is being used for whole school buildings, was won by Eliott, which secured nine schools, and McAvoy, which is preferred bidder on an additional three schools.

A joint venture between Styles & Wood and modular specialist Extraspace Solutions picked up the Modular B framework to deliver primary three school block extensions.

Caledonian was also announced as preferred bidder on this framework, which will deliver initially 16 schools projects, with further schemes expected up to a value of £95m.

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