The firm is now in line to improve eight of the Borough’s schools, a pupil referral unit and build a new school in Chadderton.

Construction will start next January on the new-build Oldham Roman Catholic School and the partial rebuild and remodelling of North Chadderton School.

Upgrades and expansions at the other schools will start between 2012 and 2014, with all construction work completed by 2015.

All construction and facilities management will be carried out by Balfour Beatty.  ICT services across all the schools will be delivered in conjunction with specialist firm Northgate.

Balfour Beatty will initially invest £3.2m into the Oldham Roman Catholic School, with the potential for a total of up to £6.2m equity investment in the 25-year concession as a whole.