Telecoms giant Telefonica O² said there are 'many discussions still to be had' before it goes ahead with the 12.5m-high mast next to 450-pupil Darras Hall First School in Ponteland.

Hundreds of parents, local residents and businesses are strongly opposing the mast on The Broadway, which only got approval last year because of a county council planning blunder.

Ponteland Community High School - GCSE (2009), Post-16 (2009)

Richard Coates Church of England Middle School - Key Stage 2 (2009)
Ponteland Middle School - Key Stage 2 (2009)

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Ofsted described the teaching of science at Ponteland High School as outstanding, with student achievement, the science curriculum and the way the school's science team is led and managed, all receiving the highest praise in the report.

Teaching standards also scored highly, with some lessons rated as outstanding.

A project to revamp a nature area took an unexpected twist. The mini reserve at Ponteland High and Middle schools had existed for about 27 years, but it had become overgrown and started attracting litter.

Students from the school, along with teachers and the chair of governors, began a drive to tidy up the area, prune trees and clean the pond.

And pupils at Ponteland Middle School have been helping make sure noise from Newcastle International Airport is managed and within Government guidelines.

The school is one of five locations around the airport where a noise monitoring device has been set up.

The school actively promotes healthy living, with 96% of the children getting at least five hours of sport per week.

It is an impressive amount of exercise but the children are not just being made to do it - they love taking part in the variety of games the school has to offer.

The two events, held at the Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall campus near Ponteland, marked the 2009 students awards and higher education achievements.

They included 234 students who successfully completed higher education courses at the college and 78 who received prizes for accomplishments in a wide range of subjects.

At the ceremony students dressed in gowns and mortar boards to collect their certificates before an audience of 300 friends, family and college staff.

Principal Rachel Ellis-Jones said: "It was lovely to see so many graduates and guests."

Ponteland High School's governing body is moving forward with its plan to become one of the Government's flagship foundation schools following three months of consultations with parents, students, staff, unions and the county council.

Official proposals will now be published in early November, giving people another opportunity to have their say, before a final decision in December - paving the way for foundation status from April next year.

Ponteland High School is set to formalise proposals to create a charitable trust.

As a foundation school, Ponteland High would still be part of the state system but with more freedom to guide its own future and closer ties to parents and the community.

The 13-year old, representing North England, was giving away three years experience to some of her rivals.

However, after a seventh place in the 200m butterfly, she recovered to finish fourth in the 200m backstroke 20 minutes later.

The overall pass rate at Ponteland High is 98.1%, matching last year's record high, and no fewer than 16 students achieved straight As across all subjects.

Headteacher Stephen Prandle said: "I would like to send my congratulate our students and their teachers who have worked extremely hard for these results.

The overall pass rate at Ponteland High was 98.1% and 16 students achieved straight As across all subjects.

Head Stephen Prandle said: "I would like to send my congratulations to all our A-level students and their teachers, who have worked extremely hard.

Youngsters were treated to a packed day of activities at Belsay First School, in Belsay, Northumberland, yesterday.

The event was organised by Funfest, a new Morpeth-based business aiming to provide entertaining and educational festival-style events to keep children busy during the school holidays.

The youngsters from Richard Coates CofE Middle School went on a field trip to St Mary's Island, in Whitley Bay. The aim of the day was for the class of 10-year-olds to visit the rockpools and explore the sealife on the shore.

Some of the youngsters were lucky enough to find starfish, while others had close-encounters with nipping crabs.