Visit www.journallive.co.uk/bedlington to take a look at the improved pages, including a new layout, more useful local information, an events calendar, news from the wider county and an interactive map.

These pages are no longer being updated.

Now open to organisations including voluntary and community organisations, schools, town and parish councils, and statutory health authorities. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available.

There is up to £2 million available across the UK and organisations can submit applications before the three deadlines of 21July, 22 September and the 24 November 2010.

For further details and to get an application form visit our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communitywildlife, or call our helpline on:
0845 367 0610.
For more ideas for projects visit www.bbc.co.uk/wild

More than 30 pupils aged five to eight from Ringway First School in Guidepost will be vying to win a trip to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Tynemouth to see seals having their teeth brushed. All they need to do is take their brush to school and try to brush for the recommended two minutes without using a stopwatch.

The day is organised by Guidepost Dental Practice to encourage better brushing.

Thousands more youngsters are now improving their health and fitness by walking or cycling to and from lessons each day, instead of being driven to the school gates in their parents' cars.

All 201 local education authority schools in Northumberland now have their own individual green travel plans - which means the county council has achieved its Government-set target of having them in place by March this year.

A number of high schools in the county are considering redundancies while others will not be replacing staff who leave.

Headteachers, governors and teaching unions have spoken out about the job losses, which have been blamed on a mixture of local and national factors.

Students in Year Six from West Sleekburn Middle School Primary Unit visited Woodhorn Museum as part of a history project on the Tudors. While at the museum the children took part in three workshops which helped them to experience what daily life was like nearly 500 years ago.

They explored the recreated parlour and kitchen and took part in role play activities involving preparing a Tudor banquet. Children also dressed up in Tudor clothes and took part in some traditional Tudor dances.

Lynne Mellor, co-ordinator of the Primary Unit said: "We encourage staff to arrange visits like these as they bring lessons to life as well as making for memorable experiences."

County council leaders have agreed to submit a "statement of intent" to the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) for an academy in Bedlington - which would be part of a schools reorganisation in the town.

Members of the Liberal Democrat executive have also agreed to earmark cash to fund the primary element of the shake-up in the authority's medium-term capital plan.

The Journal, in partnership with Barclays Money Skills, has £20,000 to give away to schools across our region.

But time is running out to register to take part, so we are reminding people to fill in the form (see below) and be in with a chance to win some cash.

A number of schools in the region have already registered, including Cambo First School, in Cambo, near Morpeth (pictured). The prize money can be used to fund any educational project the school chooses - like a school trip, new books or a garden.

Northumberland County Council's cabinet will meet this afternoon. Members are being recommended to approve proposals for an academy to be set up in Bedlington.

If approved, there will also be changes to other schools in the Bedlington Partnership.

Enterprising youngsters at Stakeford First School did odd jobs, washed cars, and sold hand-made Christmas cards to make more than £700 to help cover costs of their annual visit to the Robinwood Activity Centre, in Alston.

Morgan Brown from Stakeford First School

But thieves struck when the school was closed for the night, last week, and took every penny of the children's hard-earned cash.

Northumberland County Council alerts and reminders »

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About 1,500 school pupils in Wansbeck are joining forces with local companies of all sizes, who are investing thousands of pounds in the project.

Make £5 Grow is the brainchild of the Wansbeck Education Enterprise Network (WEEN).

Years five and six pupils at the school raised the case in a non-uniform day when they were all asked to wear something pink.

Bedlingtonshire Community High School and West Sleekburn Middle School, which are joined together in a formal federation, are the winners of the Wansbeck Enterprising Schools award for secondary schools.

Ross Thain and Sonia Burdis from West Sleekburn Middle School with the Wansbeck Enterprise Trophy

Presenting the award, Robin Casson, director of children's services for the county council, said the schools had "embedded an enterprising culture" and had shared the leadership role across staff and students alike.

The enterprise centres have been developed at Bedlingtonshire Community High School and Guide Post Middle School.

They are part of the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) running in Wansbeck - a Government-backed scheme aimed tackling the district's poor record in new business development.