Galliford Try has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Digital Construction Project category at this year's Digital Construction Awards, recognising the company's advanced digital delivery at the newly built Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The project, delivered through the Department for Education's (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, has been celebrated for its innovative use of digital tools and structured Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes, setting a new benchmark in digital construction across the education sector.

Constructed by Galliford Try's Building North East and Yorkshire team, Woodham Academy was one of the first projects for both the contractor and the DfE to adopt a strictly structured BIM approach using the IFC data standard. Unlike traditional 'one-button exports', the team applied thousands of automated digital rules to ensure accurate formatting and compliance with the DfE’s information requirements. This rigorous data validation process helped maintain precision throughout the design and build phases.


The project also featured integration with the Twinview platform, which enables real-time monitoring of indoor temperature, CO₂ levels, solar energy production and energy consumption.

The new school, designed to meet high environmental standards, includes air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, EV charging points, and a green roof, all contributing to reduced carbon emissions and lower running costs. It has been praised as a model for scalable, whole-life digital construction, underpinned by ISO 19650 principles and a continuous digital thread from concept to operation.

Galliford Try's approach focused on capability over cost, challenged industry norms, and invested in upskilling the supply chain.

In addition to delivering a state-of-the-art learning environment for students, Woodham Academy includes a swimming pool, sports hall, and fitness studio, which are open for community use outside school hours.