The facilities at The Beacon School, Banstead, are second to none, with three computer suites, technology rooms, a well equipped library and ample sports grounds.

Working with such facilities and an excellent team of teachers means students have been able to achieve impressive results in the classroom, on the football pitch and on the stage.

'Excellence in everything we do' is the school motto and it is something about which headteacher John Darker feels passionate.

He said: "I think it is something for which we can strive. We can all do our best but we can all probably do better.

"It is about what we can do to improve and to develop."

One of the key areas students are being able to develop at The Beacon is taking up the many vocational courses on offer.

Mr Darker explained: "We have to recognise not all students are suited to the national curriculum right the way through to 16. Some of them have real vocational interests we need to develop, such as health and social care, construction, animal husbandry and media studies.

"We now have a very flexible curriculum for years 10 and 11 with some youngsters spending one day a week at NESCOT doing vocational courses, which has proved very popular."

Mr Darker has been headteacher at the school for the last 16 years and has seen the school grow from 700 students to 1,350. With an increase in the numbers, extra facilities and subject blocks have been added to the site, an important one being the learning support centre.

Mr Darker said: "The centre is for students who are having problems following the school's code of conduct. In partnership with health authority professionals, we give youngsters who are troubled time. Because school is such a busy place these youngsters don't get the time to unload their concerns. The centre is proving very effective and helping youngsters look at what they do and coming to terms with how they can change that."

As well as the people working in the centre, The Beacon has a very supportive and enthusiastic staff.

"It is the staff who make the difference," Mr Darker said.

And the staff have their rewards on prize giving days too.

Mr Darker said: "That is very exciting to see. You can remember when they first arrived, you have followed them through their school career. You can see how they have changed, developed and grown."