£39 million contract to rebuild Newton Aycliffe's Woodham Academy

Galliford Try, a leading construction group, has announced that it has signed its first contract under the Department for Education (DfE) Construction Framework to deliver the new Woodham Academy on behalf of the Eden Learning Trust (ELT).

The business has been awarded a £39m contract that aims to redevelop the 1,200-pupil secondary school in Newton Aycliffe, with funding through the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme.

Read more: Plans for major redevelopment of Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe

The development will use new technologies, such as air source heat pumps and PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels, to reduce carbon emissions and contribute towards a cleaner environment.

Additionally, the proposal includes an increase in electric vehicle charging facilities, as well as cycle parking, encouraging pupils and staff to travel to school by these more sustainable modes of transport.

The company will also improve the school’s facilities, constructing a new sports hall, swimming pool and activity centre, with the school hoping that this will expand the school’s curriculum, promote student participation in sports, and increase the range of extracurricular activities available to students.

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These new sports facilities will also be accessible to the local community.

A spokesperson for Galliford Try said; “The redevelopment works will provide a state-of-the-art new school building and sports facilities and will ensure the academy is fit for the future by providing a high-quality and spacious learning environment.

Claire Jackson, Education Director for Galliford Try, added: “It’s great news that we have reached contract close on the first major contract for our team under the DfE’s new framework. We are already working on net zero schools across the country for the DfE and hope that Woodham will become another great exemplar of low carbon construction for our business.”