Dawlish Community College's geography faculty has been praised by Ofsted inspectors.

Inspectors visited as part of the 2008-09 Subject Survey Inspection Programme.

They spent two days in college looking at key areas of the subject and focussed on how effectively geography teaching and the curriculum promotes community cohesion.

The visit contributed to national evaluation and reporting.

The result was that the overall effectiveness of geography was good.

College principal Andrew Davis said: 'We are exceptionally pleased with this report which recognises the hard work that staff and students have put in over a number of years to maintain the position of our geography department as one of the best performing in both Devon, as well as nationally.'

Among the inspectors' comments was: 'Standards at the end of Key Stage 4 are exceptionally high and have been for the past six years. The proportion of students attaining A*/A grades at GCSE is significantly above the national average.'

l Meanwhile, a garden project at the college is attracting high profile interest.

Toby Buckland (Gardeners' World presenter) and Nonie Dwyer and Emma Stapleforth from River Cottage visited to find out how the project is progressing.

The River Cottage team, based in east Devon, presented the college with some River Cottage books and a tomato plant to help with the progress of the garden.

Nonie and Emma were impressed with the progress in the garden and its future plans, and were amazed that so much had already been achieved in such a short space of time.

The River Cottage team said they hoped to come back later in the year, but also invited students to visit them at their East Devon base to see some of the work down on the farm, in their shop and canteen.

Since September, as part of the vocational curriculum, college students have been developing a garden in which to grow flowers and vegetables, and have been developing their horticulture skills, while working towards a qualification.

All the produce is grown organically, and the students also hope to learn some business skills by selling produce on a stall when Dawlish Farmer's Market open.

If things go according to plan, the students hope to supply the college kitchen with some of the fresh, organically grow produce.

l The college held a hugely successful evening for the new Year 7 student intake next September.

Parents and pupils sampled some of the activities that they will take part in, talked to the staff, sampled food from the canteen, watched some of the current Year 7s perform musical solos and a series of short French plays, as well as a display of dance.

The new students will also be invited to the college during the day later in the term to take part in typical college activities.

This all helps to make the transfer from primary school to community college as seamless and enjoyable as possible.