HEXHAM First School is celebrating after Ofsted inspectors said it 'continues to be good'.

Headteacher Justine Overton said she was 'over the moon' with the outcome of the inspection, which took place in April.

She said: "We've very proud of our Ofsted report. I think it reflects our school really well."

The inspection report noted that pupils like coming to school and that they are "happy in lessons and enjoy lessons".

It continued: "Pupils feel safe because they know that the staff care about their welfare. The school has high expectations for every pupil.

"Improvements in the teaching of reading and phonics mean that children make a good start in these areas. Staff work hard to help any pupil who has fallen behind."

The report added pupils "take an active role in the community" and that "they have many opportunities to contribute as young citizens".

The report also said: "Leaders have successfully steered the school through the challenges of lockdown restrictions. At the same time, senior leaders have worked with subject leaders to improve the curriculum and to clarify their leadership roles. Staff appreciate leaders' consideration for their well-being and workload."

On how they could improve, the inspector said: "Leaders have not completed the intended updates to the curriculum in some foundation subjects. As a result, the way leaders have identified and sequenced the knowledge that they want pupils to learn is not as strong in these subjects as it is in subjects where leaders have completed a review of the curriculum.

"Leaders should implement revisions to the curriculum intent in the remaining curriculum areas."

Mrs Overton said their plans going forward include "continuing the work on developing the curriculum and making sure that it is exactly what the children need in 2022 and beyond."

She added: "We've really ramped up the extracurricular activities in school and school trips recently.

"A lot of work has been done on going to local farms and children learning where our food comes from, the Farm to Fork initiative.

"The pupils love being involved in projects that mean something to them and intergenerational projects - our kids love going down to some of the care homes and making Christmas cards for the elderly and singing to them at Christmas, as well as litter picking in the local community.

"It's part of our drive to really make them feel like they belong in Hexham and teach them to give back, and I think if we can get that established at a young age, it's great for the local community."

The school, on Beaufront Avenue, has 118 pupils on its roll.

Mrs Overton said they have spaces in their nursery and reception classes.