THE proud head of physical education at Exmouth Community College has praised the success of his sporty students this academic year.

THE proud head of physical education at Exmouth Community College has praised the success of his sporty students this academic year.

As well as the performance of the subject department, judged to have been 'outstanding' when Ofsted staff inspectors visited last December, the school's teams have won more than 10 titles in a range of different sports.

Richard Thompson, head of PE, said: "I would probably say that it has been the best year sport-wise we have had, certainly while I've worked at the college.

"Our GCSE results for students attaining A* to C grades, were 83 per cent in PE. My push for next year is for improvements to be made to the facilities."

The community college roll of honour since last September has included the under-14 and 16 badminton boys' teams being crowned Devon and south west champions.

Success was repeated in cross country, tennis, rounders and swimming.

And the college held its annual sports awards ceremony in April, recognising the achievements of athletes in the last ten months.

Established sporting stars from past and present attended, including Olympic sailor Joe Glanfield and former Tottenham Hotspur football player Steve Perryman.

Prize winners on the night included Laura Allen, 13, in the hockey category; Alex Lane, 14, in badminton, Emily Steer, 13, in netball, and 15-year-old James Sharkey, in cricket.

Sarah Collinge, 14, triumphed in the rounders section; Ben Waistell, 18, in rugby, Michael Gard, 15, in swimming, Hannah Sharpe, 15, in table tennis and Sam Hopkins, 15, in basketball.

Thomas Allen, 16, scooped the footballer of the year award, as well as Stephanie Beck, 15, in the female category.

Jack Findel-Hawkins, 14, picked up the tennis award and 16-year-old Anthony Wood was given the award for excellence outside the curriculum for his achievements in archery.

Other award-winners included Lauren Ranft, 14, in the key stage three effort category; Daisy O'Loughlin, 15, in key stage four and Ryan Fraser-Roe won key stage four outstanding performer.

Joshua Sale took the post-16 special college award and Antony Wood, 16, scooped the prize for excellence outside of the curriculum.

The team of the year award was handed to the boys U13 tennis team