PCA Durham was commissioned to undertake archaeological works in support of two planning applications for proposed redevelopment of the Woodham Academy, Newton Aycliffe.

Fieldwork was preceded by Desk-Based Assessment that determined that there are 80 heritage assets (3 prehistoric, 19 medieval, 55 post-medieval and 3 assets of unknown provenance) within the 1km search area of the Academy. The report also determined there was low potential for all periods with the exception of prehistoric settlement. Although four fields of medieval ridge and furrow were noted on historic aerial photographs none were noted during the site walkover.

An archaeological geophysical survey of the proposed development site was commissioned by PCA but no anomalies likely to be of archaeological origin were identified although any archaeological features locality may have been masked by overlying areas of made ground.

A programme of archaeological trial trenching was requested by the local planning authority which followed the methodology set out in a Written Scheme of Investigation written by PCA and then approved by Durham County Council Archaeology team prior to works commencing. The aim of the evaluation was to clarify the presence, nature, date, extent and significance of any archaeological remains that might be present within the proposed development area. These works comprised the excavation of 10 trenches spread across the site.

No archaeological features were recorded in any of the trenches.

As the school was still operational the trial trench evaluation works were timed to take place during school half-term break and the fieldwork programme had to be completed before the return of the students. This was achieved through close liaison with the client, school staff and with the appropriate resources allocated to the project to fulfil the client fieldwork timetable.

A report outlining the methodologies employed and the negative results of the investigations were submitted to the LPA in support of the planning application.