STUDENTS are aiming high after being given the chance to help shape facilities and opportunities at their academy.
Ambitious young politicians on the Student Council at Bede Academy, in Blyth, have put forward a proposal for an outdoor climbing wall at the north site.
Michael Storey, 14, of Blyth, said: "We travelled to The King's Academy in Middlesbrough to see their climbing wall and now everyone here wants one. It's still being researched but I think it's getting closer to happening."
Others, however, have their feet firmly on the ground as they seek to develop a gardening club.
Year 8 student Thomas Lee, 12, of Blyth, explained: "We have a garden at the academy but we'd like to extend it to grow our own food. We could work on it at lunchtime and after school. It would be great to grow fruit and vegetables that could be used in the school kitchen."
The Student Council runs across all year groups, giving a boy and girl from every form the chance to represent their classmates and put forward ideas, which have included systems for reducing congestion on stairs, a mobile telephone app and publicising the public speaking club.
Demand for girls' rugby, which came out of the Student Council, will soon become reality as a co-curricular activity.
For Ryan Dixon, 16, from Blyth, the Years 10 and 11 council is a further chance for him to develop his and others' interest in politics.
Ryan, who represents Blyth on the Northumberland Youth Cabinet and ran for the Youth Parliament in Year 7, said: "The Student Council gives us a platform to discuss issues, make suggestions and decisions”.
"In the Youth Cabinet we had a chance to put our views across about the cuts to youth services. The Student Council might encourage more students to get involved in local politics."
At Bede South, the council decided collectively to raise money for a Guide Dog for the Blind, with an initial target of raising £1,500.
The younger students sold and took orders for dog biscuits they made for the Christmas Fair and donated some of the money raised at their Christmas performances to the fund, which currently stands at around £400.