Galliford Try Secures Place on Major £15.4bn School Construction Framework
Galliford Try has been appointed to the Department for Education’s new CF25 construction framework, valued at £15.4 billion and running for six years with possible two-year extensions to 2034. The company’s Building business gains positions on high-value lots (projects over £12 million) across England, plus low-value lots in London, the South East, and South West. This framework replaces the expiring CF21 and supports delivery of school rebuilds, refurbishments, and new builds under the expanded School Rebuilding Programme.
Galliford Try’s Chief Executive Bill Hocking noted education as a cornerstone of the firm’s sustainable growth strategy, building on its strong sector track record. The appointment comes amid rising education construction activity, with the framework enabling efficient procurement for RAAC mitigations, condition improvements, and net-zero upgrades.
Industry observers see it as key to scaling delivery in 2026 and beyond, supporting the government’s £38 billion estates investment push. This major appointment underscores the importance of established contractors with proven education-sector expertise in delivering the expanded School Rebuilding Programme. The six-year horizon with possible two-year extensions to 2034 provides the stability needed for planning and investment in school-specific projects.
With hundreds of rebuilds and refurbishments now in the pipeline, the framework streamlines the procurement process and reduces administrative burdens on public bodies and contractors. The inclusion of both high-value and regionally focused low- value lots ensures that projects of all scales can move forward quickly. The structure accelerates delivery timelines and supports the overall £38 billion estates investment push through efficient access to RAAC mitigations, condition improvements and net- zero upgrades.
Education Construction Projects Lead Opportunities for New Contracts in 2026
Glenigan’s latest analysis highlights education as one of the strongest sectors for new construction contracts in 2026, with projects topping opportunities amid broader industry pressures. School and college builds, refurbishments, and expansions are driving pipeline growth, fuelled by government funding boosts and the School Rebuilding Programme. Key drivers include the £38 billion capital commitment through to 2029/30, plus targeted RAAC removals and retrofit initiatives.
Education starts rose significantly in early 2026 data, despite some declines in main contract awards. Modular and offsite solutions are gaining traction to meet speed and sustainability needs. Contractors are positioning for growth, with frameworks like CF25 facilitating access.
The sector’s resilience stems from essential demand—addressing ageing estates, pupil place pressures, and net-zero goals. Experts predict sustained activity, offering firms a clear path to secure work in a challenging market. This positive outlook for education construction provides a bright spot in an otherwise cautious market. Public funding remains locked in through the £38 billion capital commitment and the expanded School Rebuilding Programme.
The combination of large-scale rebuilding programmes and smaller condition-improvement projects creates a balanced pipeline that supports contractors of all sizes. As modular and offsite techniques gain traction, firms investing in these capabilities are well placed to deliver projects faster and with lower environmental impact. The coming year therefore offers genuine growth and stability for companies ready to meet the sector’s demands through the sustained public investment in estates renewal.
RAAC Progress: Government Pledges Full Removal or Rebuild by 2029
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that, by the end of the current Parliament in 2029, all schools and colleges containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) will either have the material fully removed or be in the delivery phase of a rebuild.
As of early 2026, RAAC has been permanently removed from 62 institutions, with 55 of those completions achieved since the 2024 general election. MPs on the cross-party Education Committee welcomed this pledge in their February 2026 report, ‘Foundations of Learning’, but stressed that significant risks persist across the ageing estate and called for permanent solutions rather than incremental or temporary fixes. The School Rebuilding Programme continues to support many affected sites, with extended funding secured through to 2034. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the broader estates strategy as a transformative step, addressing the “ageing and fragile” buildings first exposed by the 2023 RAAC crisis.
Improved communication and the forthcoming Manage Your Education Estate digital platform, planned for launch in 2026, will enhance oversight and data sharing between the Department for Education and responsible bodies. The commitment to full removal or rebuild delivery by 2029 addresses one of the most pressing safety issues in the education sector. The 2023 crisis highlighted the risks posed by this material used in the 1950s and 1960s.
The pledge provides certainty to school communities through the School Rebuilding Programme and extended funding to 2034. The cross-party support in the Education Committee’s February 2026 report strengthens the case for sustained investment. The new digital platform will allow real-time tracking of progress and help prevent any sites from falling through the cracks.
Overall the pledge contributes to the wider goal of creating a resilient education estate under the Education Estates Strategy. Integrated planning with the School Rebuilding Programme minimises disruption. The combination of permanent fixes and enhanced data tools ensures RAAC issues are resolved while aligning with the ten-year estates strategy for safety and future- proofed buildings.
Spring 2026 issue 4183 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
