TAVISTOCK College has been awarded the prestigious Sportsmark Award in recognition of the quality of its PE and sports programme.
The awards are made annually by Sport England to junior and secondary schools which have shown commitment to developing sport and fostering closer sporting links with the community.
The college has developed a very successful relationship with recreation association TACRA — based on the campus — and pupils are achieving impressive results with PE GCSE and A levels.
College principal John Simes said: 'This is a great achievement.
'I am delighted that Sport England has recognised our progressive, well-balanced, physical education programme and the links we have made with local sports clubs through both teachers and representatives of TACRA.'
Rob Murphy, sports development officer at Tavistock College who spearheaded the drive for the award, said he was very pleased to obtain Sportsmark status.
Certain standards have to be reached before being considered for the award, including a minimum of two hours PE per week for the majority of students and four hours per week for lunchtime or after school activities.
'We have encouraged more teachers to gain qualifications in sport, not just sports teachers but other members of staff who might be interested, so it gives pupils a greater variety of activities,' said Mr Murphy.
'We are trying to develop and increase the amount of sport at the college. This year we have targeted cricket, basketball and girls football,' he said.
Links between students interested in particular sports and local clubs are also being fostered which benefits pupils' sporting abilities and helps development at the clubs themselves.
Mr Murphy said he hoped even more Tavistock College pupils would go on to sporting stardom as a result of the efforts made to encourage sports at school.
He is also hopeful Sportsmark status will make a difference to facilities at the college.
'We are trying to get an astro turf pitch — Sportsmark status makes groups like Sport England look upon Lottery bids a little bit more favourably — it certainly shows you are doing your best,' he said.
And if the pitch is built, the ultimate Sportsmark Gold award may not be so remote.
'Obviously it would be a nice dream to get the gold in three years time, but it's very much more difficult. It favours PE college status schools, so it's probably more realistic for us to keep the Sportsmark award we have,' Mr Murphy said.
David Glover, chairman of TACRA, said he was 'very pleased' the college had been recognised for the great efforts made to raise the profile of sport at the school.
'TACRA is delighted to be working with such good partners in Tavistock College.
'It's not only the activity of sport within the college which has been recognised, it's also the improvement in facilities which has been generated in recent times.'