A successful bid to the BBC Children in Need fund has provided substantial funding to allow Woodham Sports Academy to expand the range of opportunities on offer for young people in Aycliffe.
Due to the amazing success of the Academy and ever-increasing demand from students for more activities, handball and water polo are now available alongside the existing sports of dance, gymnastics, football, American football, cricket, softball, table tennis, swimming and basketball.
The successful bid will also allow two of the most popular of sports football and dance, to grow.  Woodham Academy will now employ an additional coach for dance and two additional coaches in football.  The funding also lets the Academy offer an exciting opportunity for local primary school pupils. Starting Thursday 26th September Woodham Football Academy will run elite sessions for selected year 6 students from 5pm – 7pm. Pupils will be working with Neil Maddison (ex Middlesbrough), Steven Foster (ex Swansea and Darlington Captain), Andy Collett (ex Middlesbrough and Darlington Goalkeeper) and Kevin Dawson.
Liam Clough, Director of Woodham Sports Academy, said “This money will help the Academy grow and continue to develop.  The impact of Woodham Sports Academy has been unbelievable and surpassed all expectations. Students achieve better results than their peers. Our year 11 students who have just left achieved better GCSE grades not only for English and Maths but across all subject areas with 94% of students achieving 5 A*-C grades.
I am really excited for the year ahead and fully believe the money available will only enhance the experience of Woodham Academy students and those selected from our local primary schools”.