Under the deal worth £78m, Wates will design and build three schools in the London Boroughs of Barking, Dagenham and Newham.

The latest deal means Wates has secured a total of four priority school building programme batches across Coventry, the North West and East of England.

This ranks it as the second most successful contractor so far with around 20 batches awarded and 11 left in the first wave of 261 school projects.

If the proposals developed by Wates meet the EFA’s criteria, Wates will build new school buildings for Little Ilford School in Newham and Eastbrook School in Dagenham with capacities for 1,525 and 2,900 students respectively.

It will also provide facilities for the expansion of Eastbury School in Barking to accommodate 1,800 students, including a two form-entry primary school.

Building work at Little Ilford School is expected to begin in Spring this year.

Stephen Beechey, group strategy director, said: “Wates’ role in the delivery of the EFA’s Priority School Building Programme has had some exceptional results to date, most significantly of which is the praise the completed projects have received from teachers and students alike.

“The ultimate objective of the programme is to address the significant needs at those schools buildings in the worst condition across the country within tight funding limits but without compromising on quality.”