An ageing secondary school will be replaced with a new purpose-built site. 

Plans for new teaching facilities at Greenfield Academy in Newton Aycliffe were approved by Durham County Council. 

The majority of the “horrendous” existing buildings will be demolished once the new teaching block is complete. Just two existing teaching areas and the sports centre will be retained at the Greenfield Way site. 

A new three-storey teaching block will be built in the car park to the north of the current school.

The proposed layout has been designed to reduce disruption to staff and pupils and avoid the need for advanced demolition. 

Durham County Council partnered with local construction firm Kier Group to submit the plans. 

“The existing blocks to be demolished have reached the end of their design life and the replacement will facilitate a more functional, welcoming and efficient layout for the school’s everyday operations and needs,” said the council. 

“The application is critical in enabling the delivery of the proposals for Greenfield Academy and securing the long-term future of the school.”

Councillor Michael Stead, of Aycliffe North and Middridge, hailed the impact the improved site will have on teaching and learning.

He said: “A new build for the school is well overdue. When I first became a councillor I walked that site and the amount of single-pane windows and heating issues was horrendous. 

“There were temporary buildings put outside, with classrooms in portacabins. It’s just not acceptable for children of this day and age to be in a school like that.”

How the new school could look How the new school could look

Student numbers will remain at 676. The school provides education for students in years seven to 11 and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students. 

The development is phased to enable teaching in the existing buildings to continue while the replacement buildings are constructed on-site. Following the construction of the new buildings, the pupils and staff will relocate to the new site.

Demolition work on the existing buildings will then start as well as work on a new playground and parking. The phased works are expected to take approximately 24 months, starting in September. The new site will be ready to accept pupils from September 2025.  

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A layout plan of the development A layout plan of the development

Two objections from residents warned of the extra traffic and congestion the new site will pose. “Residents are already plagued with car parking, loud music from the cars, and idling engines,” a report added. 

However, the local authority said the new school site will significantly benefit Newton Aycliffe. 

A statement added: “The proposals will have significant benefits for residents, pupils and their parents, staff, and community users of the site, through improving the education and community sports facilities offered in the area.”