Three schools have taken the first steps in a major initiative to further boost achievement of students in South West Durham after winning government funding of more than £100,000. Aycliffe school Woodham Academy has joined forces with Chilton Academy and Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College to help their students achieve at the next...

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) inspired the workers of tomorrow in a college project on Aycliffe Business Park. CPI, which last month revealed it had opened a new state-of-the-art printable electronics centre on Aycliffe Business Park, partnered with UTC South Durham on a 12-week educational programme. The Industry Projects scheme...

A round-up of the weekend’s cricket action… Saturday 5th May – NYSD Division 2 Sedgefield 1st XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was warm and sunny. Aycliffe won the toss and chose to bowl first. Sedgefield 1st XI 142 all out after 44.4 overs Patrick Howe 4 for 26 and Michael Howe 3 for 24 Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 102 all out...

Local people across County Durham and Darlington are invited to give their views on a new plan launched this month. Ron Hogg has reached the midway point of his second term in office as Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner. He has now taken the opportunity to refresh his Police, Crime and Victims Plan – the key document which sets out...

A number of the Aycliffe Juniors teams traveled to Silloth to compete in the Lake District Challenge Cup played over two days of the Bank Holiday weekend. They faced a variety of teams who had joined them from across the North of the England and Scotland. Each team had a great weekend and the Under 10’s finished as runners up and the Under...

Students have trained to become anti-bullying ambassadors at Woodham Academy. The group of Year 10 students attended a training event organised by the Diana Award charity. The course, held at Whickham School and Sports College, taught students to engage others to change their attitudes and behaviour towards bullying. They worked together...

Businesses are being urged to make their staff happier through song, by signing up for the North East’s first Workplace Choir of the Year contest. Durham Music Service is offering to help companies set up and run singing groups, who will go on to perform Christmas carols at Ushaw College and compete at Durham Cathedral. Cllr Olwyn Gunn,...

Following the great success of last year’s ‘We Will Rock You’ students at Greenfield Community College are now in the final stages of rehearsals in preparation for their production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘School of Rock’. Tickets are now on sale for what is sure to be a fabulous evening with Greenfield showcasing their talent as...

Schools and community groups in County Durham are being encouraged to take part in a pumpkin and sunflower growing challenge in support of a worldwide campaign. International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2018, which runs from Sunday May 6 to Saturday May 12, aims to make people more aware of the benefits of home composting. Durham County...

A total of 52 nominations have been received for the fourth annual Make Your Mark awards event being held on Aycliffe Business Park in three weeks. The submissions involve 32 separate companies all vying for 11 different awards which will be dished out during the grand final at the Xcel Centre on Thursday May 24. Tickets are still on sale...