Your School: Ringway First School

Headteacher Hazel Scott said: "We are a warm, caring and friendly community school.

"All of the children thrive from entry to exit. The attendance rate is very good at 98% and the children love coming to school. We take an active role in the community. We enjoy doing the maypole dance at Beamish and have been working on plans to improve visitor numbers to Ford Castle.

"The school promotes work-based skills and we have a lot of links with local businesses. Our aim is to be on Dragons' Den with one of our ventures. The children are the young entrepreneurs of tomorrow."

With a curriculum built on basic skills and enriched with interesting extra activities, it is obvious that Ringway First School means business.

Name of school: Guidepost Ringway First School

Headteacher: Hazel Scott

Chairman of governors: Joe Patterson

Number of pupils: 86

Type of school: First

Main findings of most recent Ofsted report

Ringway is a good school. Its warm, family atmosphere pervades the mutual respect between staff, parents and pupils. Pupils achieve well because teaching is effective, challenging and offers opportunities for children to become actively involved in developing life skills.

How would you describe the school's ethos and values?

Pupils feel secure in the knowledge that they are in a safe environment, that they have opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings regarding moving the school forward and are involved in enterprise activities which not only develop and embed life-long skills but also value their input.

What are the school's main strengths?

We embed an enriched curriculum which champions basic skills and offers an array of interesting extra activities. The school has an independent mother and toddler group and a play group which serves our local community.

What areas are the school trying to improve?

Outdoor provision, to offer a very creative curriculum and to create opportunities for children to write about real experiences.

What extra-curricular activities and out-of-school provision does the school have?

The school offers a range of after-school clubs. These include drama, maypole, country dancing, football, fitness, crafts, drawing, thinking skills, construction and outdoor adventures.

How does the school get involved in the local community?

Our children invite local residents to all our celebration functions, coffee mornings and charity events and visit a residential home throughout the year. We also work closely with local businesses involving them in our activity themes and learn about their role in the community.

What is the school's proudest achievement?

Working with the creative partnership to pilot a project to encourage more visitors to local attraction Ford Castle.