EDUCATION

The schools in Northumberland are based on a three-tier system:



First School Duration 5 years. Children normally start school in the September following their 4th birthday

Middle School Duration 4 years. Transfer to Middle School is made in the September following the child’s 9th birthday.

High School Duration 3-5 years. Transfer to High School is made in the September following the child’s 13th birthday. Both Hexham and Haydon Bridge High Schools are considered to be extremely good in Northumberland.



In addition Nurseries are attached to many First Schools and in these cases children

begin attending part time when they are 3 and transfer into the main schools between

4 and 5.



If you have children of school age, full details of the Education Service are available

in booklet form from:-


The Director of Education

Northumberland County Council

County Hall

Morpeth

Northumberland

NE61 2EF                                                               Tel (01670)533636



Most of our staff have either attended local schools themselves of have children

currently attending. We are pleased to unreservedly recommend the Education

Service in Northumberland and have found the schools provide a caring and

disciplined atmosphere for children of all abilities.



If you prefer to educate your children privately, there are some good “Prep” Schools

in the area but from age 11, children must normally travel to Newcastle Upon Tyne.

The city offers many highly regarded schools providing a wide range of education.



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SHOPPING



Most of the villages have local shops and most of the larger villages and small towns have supermarkets and sufficient retailers to meet all everyday needs. Hexham lies in the heart of the area and is visited regularly by most people from the surrounding villages, especially every Tuesday for the local market, which is held in the Market Place offering very good value produce from a variety of stalls. The principal Livestock Market also takes place on Tuesdays, which has become something of a social gathering.



The town has two large supermarkets, plenty of local shops, one department store and a thriving town centre which caters exceptionally well for most needs but if you need more variety visit Newcastle, Carlisle or the Metro Centre near Gateshead, they are all within easy reach and have all the big chain stores.



The Metro Centre is worth a special mention being the largest of its kind in Europe and having its own railway and bus stations on a direct bus route from Hexham. The shops range from a large Marks and Spencer to specialist antiques and include everything in between. It also provides a 10-screen cinema, and undercover Funfair Park for children, late night opening every night and a spacious, airy atmosphere with plenty of seats for tired shoppers.



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HEXHAM


HEXHAM is an attractive Market Town steeped in history and set on a hillside overlooking the River Tyne.



POPULATIONS                                                   Approximately 10,000



TRAVELLING                                                       The main A69 trunk road bypasses Hexham town centre.



By car to:                                                               Approx mileage



Newcastle Upon Tyne                        20 miles East

Gateshead                                             20 miles East

Team Valley Trading Estate               18 miles East

Washington                                          25 miles East/South East

Carlisle                                                   40 miles West



By train:                                                                 Regular services from Hexham Station on the main line                between Carlisle and Newcastle.



By bus:                                                                  Hourly fast service between Carlisle and Newcastle Upon Tyne calls at Haltwhistle, Haydon Bridge, Hexham and Corbridge. Half hourly service from Hexham to Newcastle upon Tyne runs on the south side of the valley calling at Corbridge, Riding Mill and Stocksfield.



FACILITIES                                                          THEATRE and ARTS CENTRE offering a broad selection of music, drama and arts.

LEISURE CENTRE providing a variety of indoor sports plus bar dining facilities. This centre offers a range of children’s activities- especially during school holidays.

SMALL CINEMA, which chooses good quality films and like the Leisure Centre is aware of children’s needs in the holidays and on Saturday afternoons! SWIMMING POOL and SWIMMING CLUB catering for all abilities.

RACE –COURSE- steeple chasing and hurdling.

LIBRARY- attached to the Arts Centre

FIVE GOLF COURSES in the area

CRICKET CLUB

TENNIS CLUB

TWO BOWLING CLUBS



SHOPPING AND SCHOOLS                              Full range of Schools and shopping facilities- see special sections later.

















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CORBRIDGE

Corbridge is probably regarded as the most desirable village in the Tyne Valley. Only 4 miles east of

Hexham and even more steeped in history, this is a charming place to live.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 3,500



FACILITIES                                                          All the Hexham facilities are nearby but Corbridge possesses several good restaurants and some lovely boutiques.



SCHOOLS                                                             5-13 years old, then attend Hexham High School.







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RIDING MILL

Riding Mill is a small and pretty village on the south side of the Tyne some 7 miles east of Hexham.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 900



SCHOOLS                                                             5-9 years old, Middle School in Corbridge and High School in Hexham.







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STOCKSFIELD



Stocksfield is a good-sized village between Hexham and Newcastle upon Tyne and offers some of the regions most exclusive housing.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 2,500



SCHOOLS                                                             3-9 years







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HAYDON BRIDGE

Haydon Bridge is a medium sized village spanning the Tyne, seven miles west of Hexham.



POPULATYION                                                   Approximately 2,200



SCHOOLS                                                             3-9 years and 13-18 years, Middle School in Allendale







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HALTWHISTLE

Haltwhistle is a small town to the west of Hexham with good amenities.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 4,500



FACILITIES                                                          Library and open air swimming pool



SCHOOLS                                                             3-13 years old, High School in Haydon Bridge







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ALLENDALE



Allendale is a picturesque small town set around a market square 10 miles south west of Hexham. Whilst still within commuting distance of Tyneside it has a more rural atmosphere than the places already mentioned and is on the edge of the wilder moorland areas.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 1,560



SCHOOLS                                                             5-13 years old, High School in Hexham







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WALL



Wall is small very pretty village centred around a village green and an attractive hotel. Only 5 miles north of Hexham, so well within commuting distance of Newcastle upon Tyne.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 370







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HUMSHAUGH



Humshaugh is another small attractive Northumbrian village very similar to Wall and only slightly further afield.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 480



SCHOOLS                                                             5-9 years old, Middle and High School in Hexham







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WARK

Wark is a medium sized village well up the North Tyne Valley and beginning to show the character of harsher climes. Still within commuting distance of Tyneside but probably more appealing to those looking for a rural life.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 710



SCHOOLS                                                             5-9 years old, Middle School in Bellingham, High School in Haydon Bridge





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BELLINGHAM

Bellingham is a small market town at the head of the North Tyne- 18 miles from Hexham and nearing the Scottish Border. It is close to the Kielder Reservoir with all it has to offer: Sailing, Fishing, Water Skiing and mile upon mile of forest teaming with wild life.



POPULATION                                                      Approximately 1,175



SCHOOLS                                                             3-13 years old, High School in Haydon Bridge with boarding facilities.







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LOCAL FACILITIES

The facilities of Hexham have already been listed but the area as a whole offers abundant opportunities for:



Fishing, Pony Trekking, Fell Walking, Skiing on the hills in winter, Bird Watching or simply enjoying the unspoilt countryside.



Sailing and Water Skiing are available on Kielder and Derwent Reservoirs.



Golf Courses can be found at Hexham (2), Stocksfield, Allendale, Bellingham and Matfen Hall. A new championship course has been developed at Slaley Hall 5 miles south of Hexham.



Archaeologists and Historians will find plenty of Roman remains throughout Northumberland. The Abbey in the centre of Hexham was built in 674 and still serves as the parish church.



Haltwhistle has the most attractive Open Air Swimming Pool- well worth a visit in summer. Hexham also boasts an indoor swimming pool.