Willmott Dixon secures £20.7m contract to deliver Durham Academy redevelopment

27 October 2025 – Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £20.7m contract by the Department for Education to build the new Durham Academy in County Durham, replacing the current Durham Community Business College.

The project, scheduled for completion by August 2027, will deliver a 3,538 square metre three-storey secondary school accommodating 500 pupils on a brownfield site at the southern end of the existing school campus in Ushaw Moor.

Working with Space Group architects, it will feature general and specialist teaching spaces, plus the refurbishment of the existing sports hall and dining areas. External works include new sports pitches, landscaping and footpaths.

The new school building has been designed to target net-zero carbon in operation, incorporating sustainable design features and a steel frame construction. This project was secured through the DfE Construction Framework High Value Band Lot 1 & 2.

The existing school will remain operational throughout the build and be demolished once the new building opens, ensuring continuity of education for current students.

Nick Corrigan, Willmott Dixon's director in the North East, commented: "We are excited to be delivering this transformative educational facility for Durham Academy. It represents a significant investment in the future of education in County Durham, creating a modern, sustainable facility that will serve the community for generations to come.”

In partnership with its local supply chain partners, Willmott Dixon is committed to creating four new employment opportunities directly on the project. Through its bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ initiative, the business will be offering guidance and skill development for local students facing challenges or barriers to education. Willmott Dixon also aims to deliver eight apprenticeship pathways with its supply chain partners, eight T-level placements in partnership with New College Durham, and 70 hours of wider school and college engagement.