Free Schools are a flagship policy for the Coalition Government, allowing groups of parents, teachers and local communities to set up new schools where there is parental demand. Willmott Dixon has a lead role in making this happen by delivering accommodation for 18 Free Schools.

Wapping High School is a secondary school in East London that opened its doors to the community last September in temporary accommodation in a local church. The Free School has received planning permission for a permanent site on Commercial Road that Willmott Dixon will create in a £5.4m contract.

The West London Free School, set up by journalist Toby Young, was one of the first of 24 Free Schools to open in 2011. Just over a year into operation, the school is proving hugely successful, with nine applicants for every place. Willmott Dixon is now completing site investigations to create a permanent home for the school in Pallinswick House, Kings Street, Hammersmith and aims to sign a £8.4m contract in March.

Both schools were procured through the Scape framework and Chris Tredget, managing director at Willmott Dixon in North London said: "Willmott Dixon is fast developing a track record in Free Schools, being selected as construction partner of choice by Free School groups. These latest schemes - the West London Free School and Wapping High School - will create excellent learning environments that support these new schools. We look forward to getting on site as soon as possible so that we can provide permanent homes for these schools, their teachers and their students."