Reds10 hands over 78-module Thomas Telford Primary Free School in Telford

Reds10 has handed over Thomas Telford Primary Free School in Priorslee, Telford, a two-storey building made up of 78 modules manufactured off site that gives 420 primary pupils and a 26-place nursery a permanent home.

The contractor said the opening was celebrated on 22 October 2026 with the MP for Telford, Shaun Davies, local councillors, the Department for Education (DfE) and other project partners. The school's oldest and youngest pupils cut the ribbon before a commemorative plaque was unveiled.

The school, on George Lees Avenue, was delivered through the DfE's Free Schools Programme. Reds10 said in an earlier release that it is principal contractor on the project and that the scheme is jointly funded by Telford & Wrekin Council.

Claire Whiting, Executive Headteacher of Thomas Telford Primary Free School, said: "Having grown as a school community within temporary accommodation, we are delighted to move into a purpose-built environment that reflects our ambition for every child."

The build

Reds10 said the offsite approach reduced construction activity on site and helped the team manage delivery alongside neighbouring housing developments. The project was delivered on programme, it said.

Site conditions required significant earthworks, according to the contractor, which said it coordinated access and deliveries with the school, neighbouring developers and local stakeholders to limit disruption to the surrounding community.

Richard Abrams, Framework Delivery Director at Reds10, said: "Maintaining education throughout construction was a key priority, and by working closely with the school, the Department for Education and our project partners, we were able to provide continuity for pupils and staff while delivering the permanent building on programme."

The building is designed to meet the DfE's Net Zero Carbon in Operation requirements. Reds10 said air source heat pumps, solar panels and intelligent classroom ventilation controls support energy-efficient operation, with a smart building management system monitoring performance. A green roof and habitat areas are intended to support biodiversity, and the school has cycle storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Outside, the school has a floodlit multi-use games area, a netball court, sports pitches and a separate play area for the nursery.

Background

Telford & Wrekin Council has described the school as a £4.75m investment to open a 420-place primary school in Priorslee. In the same update the council said the school would start operating in temporary accommodation for its first academic year, and that the planning application for the permanent building was awaiting a decision. Reds10's release gives no contract value.

The council said the school opened in temporary accommodation at the start of the autumn 2025 term, and that the permanent building would be able to take 420 children from the local area. The council's 2025/26 budget earmarked a further £45.2m for its school expansion programme, it said.

According to the DfE's Get Information About Schools register, the school is run by Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust and listed as a free school at George Lees Avenue, Telford, TF2 5AB.

During construction, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson viewed the new school building on a visit to Telford at the invitation of Shaun Davies, Reds10 said.

Reds10 and the offsite schools pipeline

Reds10 describes itself as a partner on the DfE's £3bn Off-site Schools Framework. Its first set of projects under the framework, worth over £45m, included Abbey Farm Educate Together Primary School in Swindon and Oak Tree SEN School in Winnersh.

The company says its school projects range from 60-pupil social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) facilities to 460-place primary schools, and that it completes up to 85% of construction off site.

Reds10 has worked in industrialised construction since 2006 and manufactures at a 4,000-unit-a-year facility in Driffield, East Yorkshire. Its core industrialised construction business averaged 406 employees in FY2024/25, according to the company.