Kier to rebuild two UK schools for a combined £98m

UK contractor Kier has won two school rebuild contracts worth around £98m in total. In Leyland, Lancashire, the £45m, 6,540 sq m Wellfield Academy is a pathfinder project for the Department for Education's GenZero programme, using a cross-laminated timber structural frame together with ground source heat pumps, solar PV and natural ventilation; work is phased, starting with demolition of an existing building, and is due to complete at the end of 2028. In Ingatestone, Essex, Kier will replace the Anglo European School for £53m after RAAC concrete forced the closure of its sixth form centre in 2023; the replacement is designed to be net zero carbon in operation. Announced on 27.07.2026; according to Construction Enquirer, Wellfield Academy in Leyland is due to be completed by the end of 2028 (Construction Enquirer, 27.07.2026); the article gives no completion date for Anglo European School (the date 31.12.2028 is a placeholder for the year).