Karen Wilson finds out how a wealth of support can result in the highest grades. ***********
 Church High School produced record GCSE results in 2006. Not only did 100% of students at the Newcastle school gain five A*- C grades, but several girls were awarded marks in the top five in the country. At A-level, six girls (15.5% of the year group) received all A grades, while a further seven (18% of the year group) received two A grades and one B grade. Overall, 17 girls (44% of the year group) obtained all A and B grades. The high standard of results enabled 90% of girls to get into their firm or insurance choice of course at university. One of the school's star pupils is Charlotte Squires Parkin, who gained an A in maths at just 15, scoring 581 marks out of a possible total of 600. The school's programme of building and re-development has continued this summer, with improvements to the kindergarten, infant and junior school. A new library has also been created at the heart of the junior school, while the infant reception area has been refurbished to provide a seating area for parents, and display space for the girls' work, photographs of school activities and notices. A dedicated junior school music room has also been added. The junior school curriculum is also developing. In addition to the core, traditionally academic, subjects, a wide range of more practical subjects are offered from an early stage, such as art, design and technology and textiles. IT facilities are right up to date, while all classrooms have interactive whiteboards. Film-making is even going to be included in the timetable. In a first for Church High, Spanish is being introduced in the junior school. The subject has been introduced in a bid to stimulate further interest in foreign languages, already helped by French being taught from nursery. Holiday club and after-school care schemes are also popular - with provision starting from 8am until the end of the day. Parents who require care after 4.30pm can arrange for their daughters to attend the after-school club until 6pm. The holiday club is available throughout all school breaks, for children aged three to 14. One of the many extra opportunities open to girls is `cool cooks' - a programme teaching lower 3 girls how to cook. | 
Northumberland
