Two years ago Northumberland County Council appointed Willmott Dixon as preferred contractor to deliver the Ponteland scheme but finally chose Kier to deliver its landmark education development designed by Faulkner Browns.

The 100,000m2 plot is situated to the immediate south of Ponteland town centre and will include two new schools to support Northumberland’s Education and Skills Priorities 2017-20 plan.

Kier will build a 420-place primary school as well as a 1,600-place secondary school with teaching rooms and learning support areas, halls, studios and a lecture theatre.

A leisure centre with a six-lane 25ft swimming pool, a gym, climbing wall and soft play zone will all built alongside a full-size 3G pitch, café, library and community fire station.

Construction will start this winter and is due for completion in summer 2020 for the start of the 2020/21 academic year.

Brian McQuade, managing director of Kier Construction Scotland & North-East England, said: “Throughout the duration of the project, we will work with the local supply chain and look to offer training and job opportunities as well as engage with residents to ensure that they see local benefits.”

This latest win by Kier reinforces its strength within the educational sector. In the north east alone, the business is currently delivering four new schools under the ESFA framework.