HIGH Tunstall School, in Hartlepool, has come out top in the Town Cross Country Championship.

High Tunstall competed against the town's five other schools - Brierton Community School, English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, St Hild's, Dyke House and Manor College of Technology - in the event held recently at Summerhill.

Dave Pickford, head of PE at High Tunstall, said: "This was a very keenly contested championship and the Summerhill course provided a tremendous test for all the athletes who took part.

"Although High Tunstall won the overall team event, there were some excellent individual performances from pupils representing all six schools."

The top ten runners in each age category will represent Hartlepool in the County Cross Country Championship in Middlesbrough later this year.

Results: Year seven boys winner - English Martyrs; Individual winner - Grant Gill (English Martyrs).Year seven girls winner - English Martyrs; Individual winner - Emily Crosbie (High Tunstall). Year eight and nine boys winner - High Tunstall; Individual winner - Zac Measor (Brierton). Year eight and nine girls winner - High Tunstall; Individual winner - Sophie Dixon (High Tunstall). Year ten and 11 boys winner - High Tunstall; Individual winner - Alan Piggford (High Tunstall). Year ten and 11 girls winner - High Tunstall; Individual winner - Sarah Mason (High Tunstall).

* A newly-qualified teacher has taken up a teaching post at the school where she was once a pupil.

Clare Bingham, 29, has qualified as a teacher under the Graduate Teacher Programme, at Blakeston School, Stockton, with the help of her former art teacher, Clif Bingham.

Mr Bingham is now assistant headteacher and responsible for the Graduate Teacher Programme at the school. The programme allows graduates to qualify as teachers within the school environment.

Following university and a career in marketing, Ms Bingham returned to her former school as a mentor for gifted and talented pupils - and realised she wanted to teach.

With Mr Bingham's help she signed up for the Graduate Teacher Programme and is now embarking on her new career as a teacher of information communications technology.

* Brierton Community School, in Hartlepool, has a new headteacher.

Craig Weaver will take up his new post at the start of the summer term. He replaces Stuart Priestley, who has retired.

Mr Weaver, who is 38, is acting headteacher of King Edward VI Comprehensive School, in Retford, Nottinghamshire, where he has worked since 2000.

Born in Newport, Wales, he began his carer almost 15 years ago and has worked at a number of comprehensive schools in England and Wales, where he has taughts subjects including physical education, science and geography.

He said: "I am committed to raising standards at Brierton by strengthening the learning culture and community spirit of the school.

"Building a strong partnership with parents will be an essential part of this process."