The category of ‘Sports Teacher of the Year’ was won by Helen Reddy, Ivybridge Community College’s Head of Performing Arts.

Helen Reddy was described as ‘Superwoman’ in one of her nominations and is a leading force behind some of the great sporting successes of the College.

Helen dedicates much of her time to running clubs, both during lunchtimes and after College, and it is the students that benefit immensely from that.

It is estimated that over fifty hours a week is given to teaching and coaching, although plenty of her time is also spent on getting students to national competitions.

Helen’s programmes have been labelled as fun and engaging and it is that format that has enabled hundreds of young people to take their first steps into a more physically active lifestyle.

When she first joined the College in 2001 there were just twenty gymnasts in a competitive squad, but now there are more than three hundred students taking part in structured sessions.

The year has been a particularly good one for Helen as she was recognised by Active Devon at the end of June when she was awarded Devon’s Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award and she was also the winner of the Devon Coach of the Year 2017.

Helen was also short-listed for the BBC Unsung Sport Hero Award.

Gill Taylor, Deputy Principal at the College said that “Helen embodies everything that is amazing at the College - the opportunities, the high level of endeavour which she inculcates in our students, as well as the achievement and excellence that pervades in all aspects of her work with our students.”

Michael Saltern, Chair of Governors for Ivybridge Community College also said “What a wonderful evening for Ivybridge Community College at The Herald Sports Awards.  With the College Gymnastics Academy already having  achieved eight titles, three silvers and four bronzes during 2017 and having the accolade of the most successful team in Britain, it was no surprise  they were nominated for the Team of the Year Award.  Whilst they narrowly missed out on the Award we couldn't be more proud of them.  Then came the Sports Teacher of the Year Award - our very own Helen Reddy nervously waited for the results.  The rest of our Ivybridge Community College contingent however was full of confidence, for we knew the nomination description was accurate.  The result was read out and the cheers and applause from our table reverberated around the hall – Helen!  There couldn't have been a more deserved award all evening.

With our former student Matthew Dixon winning the Young Sports Personality Award ahead of Year 11 student Milly Jinks who was also nominated, one can truly say Ivybridge Community College will be high in the hearts and minds of everyone who attended on the night.“