Now work will start on site this month and will be finished at the last of the three secondary schools by August 2013.

Joint venture local education partnership Cambridgeshire Learning & Community Partnerships awarded the contracts for Cromwell Community College in Chatteris, Sir Harry Smith Community College in Whittlesey and Meadowgate Special School in Wisbech.

Kier Eastern will provide new accommodation and facilities at all three schools, as well as refurbishing much of their existing accommodation under the deal worth £28m.

Cambridgeshire County Council BSF programme director, Alan Kippax, said: “These contracts have been signed six months earlier than originally planned.

“This has been achieved as a result of a huge amount of work by the three schools, the County Council, our private sector partners and Partnerships for Schools, who have all worked extremely well together to ensure that these exciting developments go ahead.”

Kier Eastern managing director Graham Howe added: “This is a tremendous achievement by all, and a tribute to the hard work, co-operation, support and positive approach by everyone involved.”