Galliford Try, the construction and housebuilding group, has secured two academy projects in the secondary education sector, valued at a total of £38m.

The first contract, valued at £23 million, is to build the new City of London Academy - Islington, for The Trustees of The Academy and the Department of Children, Schools and Families. The contract will involve the demolition of the former Islington Green School, which became an academy in September 2008, and the construction of the new academy building and sports facilities. Work is expected to be completed by October 2011. The Academy is sponsored by City University London and The City of London Corporation.


The second contract is valued at £15 million and involves building new teaching, sports and administration facilities at the newly opened Wren Academy in London for the London Diocesan Board for Schools. The Academy, in North Finchley, was opened for the first time in September 2008 and will eventually serve 1,000 students. Completion of the entire project is expected by March 2010.

Greg Fitzgerald, Galliford Try Chief Executive, commented: "Galliford Try is delighted to build on its track record in the education sector with the award of these projects. These contracts follow our recently completed multi-school Private Finance Initiative projects and maintain our strength in this important market."

(CD/KMcA)