Those attending the event included representatives from Carillion, Galliford Try, Wates, Kier, Interserve and Costain.

According to the council, more than 250 individuals from nearly 120 organisations attended to find out more about the city’s programme to invest in its secondary school estate.

During the morning, potential bidders were briefed on the construction, infrastructure and facilities management requirements of Southampton’s programme. They also took part in workshops to find out about students’ expectations of their new schools and the city council’s position on design, ICT and educational transformation.

Southampton’s BSF programme is set to rebuild or remodel seven secondary schools, improve ICT at a further three and revamp up to four special schools. The project will be phased in two parts with the first, worth in the region of £110m, focussing on building work at five schools expected to go into construction from 2012.