Alan Sample has a simple formula to explain the success of Highfield Middle School: happy children and staff, supportive parents and hard work.
The Prudhoe school has topped the Northumberland league table for SATs results a number of times in recent years, and this year achieved its best results yet.
Working closely with five feeder first schools in Prudhoe and Mickley, and with nearby Prudhoe High School, Highfield has established a wide reputation for academic excellence.
Mr Sample first came to the school 11 years ago, and though he did not then plan to stay so long, he says that he now can't imagine working anywhere else.
He said: "Highfield is a very happy place for all concerned to be in, yet everybody works really hard.
"We take the basics very seriously and got awarded the Basic Skills Agency's Quality Mark for our literacy and numeracy teaching, but we're about so much more than that, too.
"We have opportunities for music and drama for the children and have lots of sporting activities as well."
The school attracts a mixed intake, mostly from Prudhoe itself, but also from surrounding villages and some children from nearby settlements in Gateshead and County Durham.
Mr Sample said: "What happens to them is that they get consistent good teaching from as soon as they start in Year Five.
"We've got rigorous recruitment procedures and I often go out myself to see teachers in the classroom before I take them on.
"We've also got close relationships with Newcastle University and I am one of the tutors on its post-graduate teacher training courses.
"We get a lot of students in here and their drive is just fantastic.
"Another part of our success is the excellent support we get from our parents. Whether it's parents' evening, concerts or school events, they're all packed out."
Northumberland