Staindrop's young leaders impress visiting bishop

Youngsters in Staindrop have been recognised for their leadership skills both in and out of the classroom.
Year five and six pupils at Staindrop Primary School received the Young Leaders Award from the Archbishop of York Youth Trust.
The children were set a number of different challenges, which included helping a neighbour to wash their car, litter picking and fundraising for charity.
They were each presented with a certificate by the Bishop of Blackburn Rt Revd Julian Henderson who was joined by his wife Heather and Staindrop’s vicar, Revd Ken Steventon, for a special assembly.
Bishop Julian called at the school as one of 25 senior clergy from across the Northern Province of the Church of England who visited the Diocese of Durham to try to get more people talking about Jesus.
The visit was led by the Archbishop of York John Sentamu.
While working towards the award, the children were encouraged to love others, set an example, take action and dream big.
They also raised hundreds of pounds for charities including the Alzheimer’s Society and St Teresa’s Hospice, in Darlington.
Headteacher Steve Whelerton said: “The children really get into it and enjoy it because they have ownership of the activities we are doing.
“The impact is far greater because the children lead a lot of it.
“Today is a great rounding off,” he said.
Bishop Julian said: “The children have done really well. I think it is a really important scheme. It puts in place those building blocks for later in life. I was really impressed with how polite they were. That was quite special.”