The four potential bidders are:

*Environments for Learning;
*VT Education and Skills and E C Harris;
*Transform Schools;
*Mouchelparkman Babcock Education.

A shortlist will be announced in February, from which Sandwell Council will choose one bidder to help deliver the BSF programme.

BSF projects will include construction and refurbishment at all secondary schools in Sandwell including Holly Lodge High School in Smethwick, Alexandra High School in Tipton, Wodensborough High School in Wednesbury, Menzies High School in West Bromwich and Oldbury College of Sport, as well as the new-state-of-the-art Rowley Regis Learning Campus, where St Michael's CE Secondary School, Westminster Special School and Whiteheath Pupil Referral Unit will be located on one site.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "It is essential that we secure the services of the best companies to realise our vision for education across Sandwell.

"We really are building schools for the future and this is a wonderful opportunity to create modern schools, providing facilities at the heart of the community of which we can all be proud."