The mix of new build, conversions and refurbishment projects are together worth £170m and will provide facilities for 11,304 pupils.

These new deals give a big boost to Kier after lockdown and will build on the firm’s strong track record, after delivering over £5bn of educational facilities in the last decade and adding up to 1.2m sq m to the nation’s schools estate.

New build projects include: Addington Valley, a £15m new SEN school in Croydon and Barton Court Academy, a £21m new free school in Canterbury.

In Bournemouth, Kier will transform a former police station, magistrates and coroners court into a STEAM specialist all-through school.

In Milton Keynes, it will deliver an £18m new build block, which will include teaching space for science, design technology art and ICT for Stantonbury International School.

Major refurbishment programmes will be carried out at both Park Hill Junior School in Croydon and in Wales, four new school projects will provide much-needed school places for the city of Swansea.

Andrew Davies, chief executive of Kier, said: “Through our delivery of these vital new school buildings we will provide critical infrastructure and support the Government’s aim of laying the foundations for everyone to have the opportunity to succeed.

“As a leading provider of educational buildings, we will use our expertise to deliver with a firm focus on quality, reducing carbon emissions and innovative solutions, through digitisation and modern methods of construction.”