The Education Funding Agency has named the 10 contractors it will use for its £4bn, four-year framework covering school, academy and other education projects.

It has pared down the original 13-firm line-up on each of the two existing regional frameworks to panels of just nine on the southern and northern areas.

The selection will come as a bitter disappointment for Interserve, Clugston, Shepherd Construction and Vinci, which all held places on the previous framework and made it through the shortlisting process.

All but two of the industry bug guns made both regional panels, with Willmott Dixon taking a seat on the southern region and Thomas Vale, now owned by Bouygues, securing the northern area.

Stephen Beechey, Managing Director Education Sector & Investment Solutions for Wates Construction said: “It is fantastic news that the EFA has chosen to continue with the contractors framework, and we are delighted to have been chosen as a partner.”

“This £4bn framework will help deliver vitally important school projects across England.

“Today’s news demonstrates the EFA’s commitment to addressing the shortage in high-quality facilities and school places, which will be crucial in providing the best possible educational outcomes for the greatest number of schoolchildren.”

“We look forward to supporting the EFA in the next stage of the Priority Schools Building Programme as we move into 2014.”