THE Purbeck School is used to receiving the highest accolades - not only for teaching excellence but also for its commitment on the playing field.

Head teacher Leanne Symonds, recently handpicked to become a Youth Sports Trust ambassador, said: "I think we have a really, really wonderful school. Our ethos is that we are somewhere very caring, and that we want the best for every single child here."

Two years ago, after a £36.5m Purbeck education shake-up the secondary took on a wider role in the community.

Under the 2013 Purbeck Review the district switched from a three to a two-tier school system, meaning extra pupil intake at The Purbeck School.

Back then, newly-appointed head Mrs Symonds described events as "a huge opportunity for the school to redefine itself."

Judging by its recent A-level and GCSE exam success, that looks like exactly what has taken place.

Mrs Symonds said: "Results get better every year. I am immensely proud of how we've moved the teaching forward and how the students have responded to that. It is wonderful to see.

"This is a friendly, very welcoming school, where people are respectful, polite and the students are just a joy to work with.

"They look smart and they feel really proud of being a part of our school community, and they really seize a lot of the opportunities we have."

Opportunities at the school in Worgret Road, Wareham, include a host of sports, lunchtime and afterschool clubs.

The school's STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) club is a big favourite.

"The pupils blow things up, they make gliders and fly them on the school field - all sorts of things," said Mrs Symonds.

Students also regularly team-up with local organisations and businesses, including the Bovington Tank Museum - where they're working with museum staff towards a STEM school project.

The Purbeck School understands the importance of forging strong links with its feeder schools, prospective employers and higher education.

"We work with Bournemouth University and Southampton University," said Mrs Symonds. "We take students from Year 9 to Bournemouth University so they can begin to get a feel of how life would be as a university student."

In May the school was presented with the Challenge Award by NACE for excellence in teaching able students.

Mrs Symonds was also proud to be asked to become a Youth Sports Trust Headteacher Ambassador, because of her school's ongoing commitment to the sports.

She explained: "We have a really good pyramid of competitive sport in the Purbeck area, where the primary schools - even students as young as Year 3 and Year 4 - have the chance to compete against each other.

"That is all organised and orchestrated at our school, so students get the best opportunities in sport right from the beginning. They get this really positive experience of sport which they bring with them when they become pupils here.

"There is a huge commitment from all staff, and in particular our sports teachers.

"If pupils want to play we want to facilitate that, we want them to get the chance to represent their school and feel proud of that."

If you want to see more of The Purbeck School, open evening takes place from 6.30pm on October 8. Sixth form open evening is scheduled for November 19.

Mrs Symonds added: "We are hosting an evening at the Lighthouse in Poole on November 4 on how to get into a top university with an Oxford Admissions tutor and how to secure a top higher level apprenticeship - all are welcome."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

LAURA Rosindell, head of science, said: "This is probably the most friendly school I've worked in. The students are absolutely delightful.

"The science department here is really strong - we get some excellent results, particularly at A-level. About 40 per cent of the pupils take science at A-level."

ANDREW Davids, lead practitioner of science at the school, said: "I think this school is the best place for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) . We really challenge our students, not just academically but through sport and all sorts of extra-curriculum activities.

"The community aspect is fantastic, it is a lovely place to teach and learn."

HEAD Boy Ben Hocking said: "I think there is a really good community feel around the school. Everyone enjoys their time here.

"There is real interaction between the year groups, which you don't get at a lot of other schools.

"You don't get bullying at this school at all."

KEREN Austria, head girl, said: "Bringing in a house system was a really good idea, it brings everyone together - from the sixth form to Year 7.

"During exam times we have extra revision classes, after school and at lunchtimes. The teachers here really go above and beyond to support us."

PARENT Lou Collins said: "I chose to put my daughter in this school, out of catchment, because I think this is an excellent place for her.

"They have supported her special needs here beyond any school she has ever been in before.

"They've encouraged her, she's learned to come out of her shell. The best thing we ever did was put her in this school."

ADELE Snell, who has a son in Year 8, said: "I'm really impressed with the range of opportunities my son has been given, especially the after school clubs. The class sizes here mean he can interact with lots of different children as well. He loved the inter-house sports day."

FACTFILE:

The Purbeck School

Worgret Road

Wareham

Dorset BH20 4PF

Telephone: 01929 550 077

Fax number: 01929 554 025

Email address: office@purbeck.dorset.sch.uk

Type of school: Comprehensive

The school became an 11 to 18 comprehensive on September 2013

Last Ofsted Report, published January 2015, rated school Good overall.

Pupils are mixed, age 11-18.

Number of pupils: 1,014 (of which 182 in sixth form)