Graham has signed on the dotted line to build an academy in Kent for more than 2,200 children.
The contractor will build the new Alkerden Academy for £80m on a site measuring 11.1 hectares in Ebbsfleet Garden City. As both a primary and secondary school, it will have capacity for more than 2,200 pupils.
When complete, it will be up to five storeys tall and will include a community sports hall and sports pitches, along with access roads and car parking.
Graham was appointed to the job by Eastern Quarry Ltd, a subsidiary of residential developer Henley Camland LLP. Henley Camland is a joint venture between Henley Investment Management and Camland Developments.
Graham has already begun work on the site, and expects to complete construction in July 2026. It is aiming to achieve BREEAM Excellent rating at the site.
The academy will serve pupils set to move to the area, with 6,250 new homes planned in the area.
Graham regional director Pat O’Hare said the new school will provide “significant educational and recreational benefits to the Ebbsfleet Valley community”.
“This project demonstrates our capability to manage complex developments, and we look forward to working closely with Eastern Quarry Ltd and the consultancy team to bring this vision to fruition,” he added.
Henley Investment Management chief executive Ian Rickwood said: “We are on site and delivering this all-through school, putting in place vital infrastructure and amenities, to support local residents and new communities that will make Whitecliffe their home.
“Working with our partners we are bringing forward new villages and facilitating the delivery of 6,250 homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City.”
Graham’s appointment comes a few months after it posted its financial results for the year ending 31 March 2024.
Turnover grew by 2.8 per cent to £1.12bn compared with £1.09bn the year before, but Graham’s pre-tax profit fell by £300,000 to £14.8m.
The contractor remained in 21st place in the latest CN100 ranking of top contractors.
