Plans to create a £3.5m centre of creativity for young people in Northumberland have come a step closer.

Designs for the Tynedale Creative and Media Skills Centre - next to Prudhoe Community High School - have gone on public display.

The centre will house state-of-the-art media production facilities in a leading edge building shared across the Tynedale Virtual College - a partnership of the four high schools in the area along with Northumberland College, Dilston College and Hexham Priory School.

Pupils at Acomb First School have benefited from teachers, parents, governors and even villagers giving years of extra work and dedication.

Everyone has given extra effort to ensure each pupil fulfills their potential and, with good links to the community, the whole 'school family' is involved.

Tesco fun run at Acomb First School

The hard work has paid off, with a stunning Ofsted report that remarked on the way 'staff unfailingly go the extra mile' and how pupils are 'well motivated and enjoyment is palpable'.

Click below to view most recent performance tables for Hexham schools:

Queen Elizabeth High School - GCSE (2009), Post-16 (2009)

Hexham Middle School- Key Stage 2 (2009)
St Joseph's Roman Catholic Middle School- Key Stage 2 (2009)

Hexham Priory School- Key Stage 2 (2009), GCSE (2009)

Comparative tables for Northumberland schools: Key Stage 2, GCSE, Post-16

Hexham Priory School remains closed to pupils today due to the winter weather, though is open to staff.

There are ongoing problems with Northumberland school transport services from very rural areas and parents are advised contact the transport provider to check collection is possible and, if not, whether an alternative collection point can be arranged. Click the council link below for more information.

Northumberland County Council alerts and reminders »

Hexham weather links »

There's 39,000 reasons why playtime is now Sunshine funtime for these happy pupils.

Children at the Hexham Priory School in Northumberland are enjoying their new playground equipment, bought with one of the Evening Chronicle's biggest Sunshine Fund grants.

The new swings, slides, climbing frame, roundabout, see-saw and football goalposts have topped off the school's £6.8m rebuild completed in September.

And the children have wasted no time in trying out their favourite rides.

Headteacher Michael Thompson said the £39,000 donation has already changed the lives of his 60 students, who have special educational needs.

Beaufront First School involves parents so much and is so integrated into the community that Oftsed commented on the school's family feel.

The school, near Sandhoe in the Tyne Valley, works hard to ensure the pupils are well cared for, not simply through its very close links with parents and carers, but also through the school's attitude towards its pupils.

Staff take time to look after the children as individuals rather than treating them all the same. Acting head Eileen Daniel said: "We strive to meet the needs of individual learners and we aim to develop learning based on practical experiences wherever possible.

Young chefs are taking the lead in their school kitchen.

Pupils at Newbrough First School in Hexham have come up with a winning menu which is set to be served up in schools across Northumberland on November 11.

Youngsters across the county were asked to come up with healthy dishes as part of the National School Meals Week.

The prize menu was Mediterranean pasta with chicken and bacon, followed by Eve's Pudding for dessert.

Coun Lesley Rickerby, Northumberland County Council's executive member for children's services, said: "It has been a pleasure looking through the various menus and I'm amazed at the amount of nutritious recipes that have been put forward."

A top children's author will be opening an extension to a rural school next week.

David Almond will be at Beaufront First School near Hexham on Wednesday to open the eco-friendly extension that will allow the school to take more children and give more room for activities.

Special needs children from across the North East and Cumbria have moved into a £6.2m state-of-the-art school - with its own sensory garden - this week.

Northumberland County Council appointed Space Group to design the new Hexham Priory Special Needs School, in Dene Park, Hexham, to cater for an increasing demand for spaces.

The school, which teaches youngsters with profound learning difficulties aged from three to 19, can now cater for 80 students, double its previous capacity.

Students at Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School opened their A-level results last Thursday, achieving a 98% pass rate at grades A-E overall. Read related story »