Northumberland County Council has outlined its ambitions to support children and young people with a new report.

The Education and Skills Annual Report reflects on a difficult year in education, as well as looking at how to navigate beyond 2021 and the ‘new normal.’

Cath McEvoy-Carr, executive director for adult and children’s services said: “Throughout the report we have tried to capture a snapshot of resilience, of achievement and of ambition – to recognise our collective journey and the key milestones already accomplished, but also look to the future for our children and young people.”

In the report, the council has noted a growing number of primary and secondary schools have been rated as good or outstanding by OFSTED and that the number of permanent exclusions has been reduced.

The council has invested £38 million in education in the last year, with four new build schools, 30 maintenance projects, six extension projects, and two major refurbishment schemes.

For the coming year, the council says it seeks to ensure residents and their families can access appropriate and inclusive learning provision that meets their needs and is close to their homes.

Cath continued: “Every child and young person should have access to good education, and it is our ambition to ensure this is the case in Northumberland by investing in our educational settings.”