The DfE construction framework plays an integral role in the Government’s school rebuilding and free school programme, and can also be used as a method of procurement by further education colleges.

We have been working with the Department for Education since 2018 via their construction framework, and in November 2021, were reappointed onto their latest framework. Valid until November 2025 years, we are appointed to Lots 1, 2, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 21 of the DfE Construction Framework, which breaks down as follows:

• We hold positions on both the both the North and South regions of the high value band, allowing for the delivery of school building projects over the value of £12m across all regions of England.
• We hold positions on the low value band framework in the Midlands and South East, designed for projects valued between £0.5m - £6m, this enables minor construction works, as well as providing a gateway for Willmott Dixon Interiors to assist with refurbishment and fit-out work in the education sector.

Accelerating net zero in operation

A key aspect of the DfE construction framework is the need to drive sustainability, with an emphasis placed on achieving net zero carbon in operation across our contracted projects. This compliments the objectives of our 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, which commits to delivering all new buildings and major refurbishments to achieving net zero operational carbon by the close of 2030.

Award winning delivery

In January 2021, the DfE held their annual awards, our site team at Dixons Trinity Chapeltown Academy in Leeds was recognised with the prestigious ‘Going Above & Beyond in Covid-19’ prize.

The team (pictured above) implemented Covid-19 safe working practices to keep the site open, handing the project over six weeks early to allow key worker students to move in during the spring of 2020, and opening to all 1,000 of the school’s students in the summer.