Bringing our community values to our work at Woodham Academy School

Building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers, has cemented its relationship with Woodham Academy School, in Newton Aycliffe, with a donation of £2,000 towards much needed life-saving equipment and sports kit.

The Stanley-based company completed the installation of new roofing in three stages, across 2015-2017.

Hodgson Sayers donated a defibrillator for the sports hall and training kit for the academy’s netball, rugby, basketball and football teams.

Contract manager at Hodgson Sayers, Colin Howey, said: “This was an extensive project as the school had been affected by weathering and required a new overlay system, including a thermal upgrade and two layers of Garland felt to the existing flat roofing system.

“We completed the work in three phases across the summer holiday periods beginning with the main dining hall and worked our way throughout the school to finish the project in the music rooms and design technology areas.

“During the project we worked alongside David Coates, the school’s business manager, to ensure minimal disruption to the students and their learning. At the same time, he told us about the challenges the school faces in terms of finding funding for those extra items that make all the difference to morale.

“I am very proud of the fact that Hodgson Sayers has a strong commitment to the communities in which it operates and where we can, we like to add value and leave a legacy that goes beyond the quality of our work.  I was aware the school was urgently seeking a defibrillator and required new training kit for its various sports groups.

“I informed the senior management team at Hodgson Sayers and they were very happy to help out with the donation of just under £2,000. It is always rewarding when you can leave a project and know you have left a mark in other ways.”

David Coates, said: “The team at Hodgson Sayers was very accommodating. They started work around the students’ exam period and tailored any potential disruption so that there was no noise.

“They worked diligently and all health and safety checks were carried out efficiently and there was constant supervision on site.

“I would like to thank the company for its very generous donation, the defibrillator is something we had wanted to purchase for a long time, so that we can respond swiftly should a pupil or member of staff require urgent, life-saving treatment. Needless to say, the pupils are thrilled with their new kit.”

In 2015 Hodgson Sayers won the SME award at the Constructing Excellence Awards in London. This was followed by UK Business of the Year and the People Development Award at the British Chambers of Commerce national final.

It has been listed three times in the London Stock Exchange Group 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain. In 2017 it was listed as one of 12 companies from the North East in the Financial Times 1000 Fastest Growing Companies in Europe.

Social value is at the heart of the business and, as such, it has formed a committee which meets each month to canvas opinion and explore potential initiatives.