Ofsted inspectors, led by HMI Derek Neil, were very impressed by one of Hexham's first schools. They said about St Mary's First School: "This is a good school". They concluded it had made considerable progress since its last inspection and had many strengths.

Good, with many outstanding features, is the overall judgement the inspectors left behind. They quoted a typical parental comment: "The school has made huge improvements to creative teaching, communications and the building. I am very happy with the education and care my children receive."

Jubilee People's Millions projects will inspire, involve or improve their local communities. If you've got an idea that could breathe life into your local area and improve the lives of the people who live there, why not apply for a grant of up to £60 000!

It also worked out well for Ciaran McGuire, a student at the school who made most of the costumes for the performances at the Alnwick Playhouse in Northumberland.

Matthew Armitt, 17, of Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, won the Students Choice Award at the Young Designer and Engineer Awards at the Discovery Museum

For 18-year-old Ciaran's creation for one of the main vampire characters - Rowan Morris - won him an award at the Young Engineer, Designer and Technologist competition at Discovery Museum in Newcastle.

Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School held a demonstration day called Here Comes Summer, where 30 members of the public signed up with the school's community and leisure programme.

Horticulture staff member Emma Thompson talks to keen gardeners

They enjoyed a morning of glorious weather in the QEHS walled garden while horticulture staff member Emma Thompson showed off the hard work that her students and community volunteers put into maintaining the garden.

Yesterday, gold medals were awarded to 19 schools in the North East for their growing enterprises in the first Growing Together competition organised by Northumbria in Bloom to reward excellence in school horticulture. A total of 45 schools took part.

Hexham East First School was among the Gold award winners.

Now open to organisations including voluntary and community organisations, schools, town and parish councils, and statutory health authorities. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available.

There is up to £2 million available across the UK and organisations can submit applications before the three deadlines of 21July, 22 September and the 24 November 2010.

For further details and to get an application form visit our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communitywildlife, or call our helpline on:
0845 367 0610.
For more ideas for projects visit www.bbc.co.uk/wild

Two North East artists worked for nine months with more than 50 pupils from Hexham Priory School in Northumberland to add a touch of colour to a new school building.

Hexham Priory pupil David Cowans with artist Carl

Hexham-based artist 'Carl' and Newcastle-based glass artist Gavin Marshall said the "phoenix" theme of the work symbolises the school's rebirth.

Check the Northumberland County Council website for updates.

The 54 pupils at Acomb First School are once again taking on the Great School Run as part of their packed sports schedule.

And they were lucky enough to be nominated for a pre-run visit from the Great School Run activation tour.

Thousands more youngsters are now improving their health and fitness by walking or cycling to and from lessons each day, instead of being driven to the school gates in their parents' cars.

All 201 local education authority schools in Northumberland now have their own individual green travel plans - which means the county council has achieved its Government-set target of having them in place by March this year.

Students at Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham set up a special working group to implement eco-friendly schemes around the school.

These included organising an eco-awareness day, using produce from the orchard and vegetable garden in the sixth form cafe, replacing polystyrene cups with mugs that pupils brought in from home and organising a paper saving day.

A number of high schools in the county are considering redundancies while others will not be replacing staff who leave.

Headteachers, governors and teaching unions have spoken out about the job losses, which have been blamed on a mixture of local and national factors.

Children from The Sele First School at Hexham created the flag of St George ahead of 'Hexham celebrates St George' which launches on Thursday.

The festival boasts a packed programme of events over the weekend, including Friday which is St George's Day, running until Sunday.

A new report from Ofsted highlights the outstanding start pupils make at the school, and praises their progress and enjoyment of the learning environment.

Northern Harmony - the world music singing ensemble from Vermont, USA - will spend four song-packed days in Hexham this week as part of their 12th UK tour.

Hosted by Queen's Hall Arts and Tynedale Community Choir, Northern Harmony will deliver workshops, perform in Hexham Abbey and enjoy a musical exchange with some of Northumberland's finest singers and traditional musicians.