This is a school of kindness, of care, and of wanting success. There are no limits as to what staff believe their pupils can achieve. This is a school where the pupils come first, and where decisions are taken in their best interests. Staff take the time, and the care, to get to know the pupils they will be working with very well. Leaders are ambitious for every pupil. They have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and learning. Pupils respond keenly to teachers. Their behaviour and attitudes to learning are splendid. The values of ‘recognising that a safe, stimulating, happy environment will support learning’ are well established. Parents, carers and pupils value this school. Some pupils say that they like ‘being nice to each other, helping each other, being patient’. Pupils say there is very little bullying or unkind name-calling. When disagreements happen, pupils say that teachers sort them out quickly. As a result, pupils feel safe. Pupils can take part in many sporting and creative activities. They enjoy the wide range of clubs, such as basketball, gymnastics and football. Leaders plan opportunities for pupils to take on projects that help them to develop as active citizens. Their recent visit to ‘The Common Room’ in Newcastle to present their ideas on climate change has been successful. Judges have praised their idea of a mechanical boat powered by solar panels, that can collect plastic from the ocean. As a result of their amazing efforts, Benton Dene’s is the winning entry of North Tyneside Learning Trust’s Climate Strategy.