'Outstanding' schools praised

A number of primary schools were named

Thirty schools in the North East and Cumbria have been have been praised in a national report.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has highlighted them as being among the best 400 schools in England.

A total of 23 on Tyneside and Wearside were named among the most "outstanding" in England.

Seven schools in Cumbria were also celebrating.

Victoria Infant School, in Workington, was one of those singled out for praise.

We provide a very stimulating environment, a very broad and balanced curriculum and I believe that is the essence of our success Jeni Boothman, headteacher Pennington School

Headteacher Pauline Robertson, said their success was down to a team effort.

She said: "Many years ago, when I started in education, you were very much on your own.

"You did your own thing, you were in your own class, you had your own agenda.

"Things have changed. It needs to be continuity, it needs to be the whole school working together."

Three schools in south Cumbria, three in the west and one in the north of the county were given particular praise.

School 'respect'

Jeni Boothman, headteacher of Pennington Church of England Primary School, near Ulverston, said the secret of their success was everyone pulling in the same direction.

She said: "Everyone is respected whether they are governors, parents or teachers or children.

"We provide a very stimulating environment, a very broad and balanced curriculum and I believe that is the essence of our success."

The Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, who used to be the Director of Education at Newcastle City Council, said all the schools listed provide a high standard of education.

They include Biddick Hall Junior, in South Shields, Parkside Infants, in Seaham, and Ellington First, in Northumberland.

'Tremendous' pride

In Gateshead, the achievements of four schools were recognised in the annual report - just weeks after the league tables revealed that the borough's schools scored top of the region for GCSE results.

Among the schools identified within the report as being particularly successful were Falla Park Community Primary School, St Thomas More Catholic School and Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School.

Also included in the report for its recent improvements was Windmill Hills Community Primary School.

Cabinet member for learning and culture at Gateshead Council, Councillor John McElroy, said: "We are of course aware of how well so many of our schools do. Their continued improvement is a source of tremendous pleasure and pride.

"The named individual schools in this year's list are by no means our only improved and improving schools."