Contractors reap rewards of £650m BSF work 'torrent'

Framework contractors delivering Building Schools for the Future BSF) Academy schemes are reporting a "torrent" of work, with more than £650m-worth of contracts let under the framework since it was set up in 2006.

Balfour Beatty is top of the class, having won three deals so far. These include: the £25m Walworth Academy scheme in Southwark, London the £110m Sunderland BSF scheme and the £20m Eastbourne Academy in Darlington.

In second place is Carillion with the £30m North Nailsea one school pathfinder scheme in Somerset and the £30m Joseph Rowntree Academy in York. Carillion is also in pole position for the £38m Essex Academy deal, as the sole bidder.

Kier takes third place in the framework with its £35m Milton Keynes Academy win. Meanwhile, Wilmott Dixon is in fourth place with a £22m deal to deliver a one school pathfinder at Wokingham and an £8m Academy deal with Hackney Council.

Bottom of the class are Skanska and Laing O'Rourke, with both firms yet to win a deal under the framework. Skanska has run up an estimated £500,000 costs bidding unsuccessfully for Southwark, North Nailsea and Milton Keynes schemes.

It recently pulled out of bidding against Willmott Dixon on the £22m Wokingham scheme, but is still in the running against Willmott Dixon for the £28m Brent Academy scheme.

Meanwhile, Laing O'Rourke is up against Willmott Dixon for the £90m Middlesbrough BSF scheme.

Other shortlisted Academy schemes include the £20m Samworth Academy deal in Mansfield and the £20m Open Academy scheme in Norwich, with Kier and Balfour Beatty chasing both.

Balfour Beatty and Carillion are shortlisted on the £120m Kent Academies deal, while Kier and Willmott Dixon are chasing the £30m Rochdale Academy scheme.

One framework member commented: "There is a torrent of work coming through - we can hardly cope. We have had to turn some down."

Partnerships for Schools is currently reviewing the framework, but members have warned that they would oppose any attempts to increase its membership.

The framework was set up last year to fast-track the government's Academies programme, One School Pathfinder schemes and BSF schemes under £100m. It runs until 2010.

BSF academies: How much have they won?

• Balfour Beatty: £155m
• Carillion: £60m
• Kier: £35m
• Willmott Dixon: £30m
• Skanska: £0
• Laing O'Rourke: £0

(Total confirmed contract wins)