GALLERY It's a school that has had its challenges in the past - but today Westbourne Sports College has pupils to be proud of.And this week they celebrated their year of achievement at an awards ceremony that recognised the efforts of students across the school.

IT'S a school that has had its challenges in the past - but today Westbourne Sports College has pupils to be proud of.

And this week they celebrated their year of achievement at an awards ceremony that recognised the efforts of students across the school.

It also marked the first major event organised by the school council since it was set up in September last year - the council gives students from all academic years a say in major decisions at Westbourne.

One of the most important decisions they had to make was choosing the new uniform, which is being introduced at Westbourne over the next few years.

The striking new royal blue polo shirt is likely to become a familiar sight in north west Ipswich over the next few years - and a new “hoodie”-style sweat shirt will be worn with it during winter months.

GCSE student Chloe Conway, 16, who travels to the school from Chantry every day, said the awards were a real boost for everyone at the school.

“It's good to have this kind of event because it involves so many people,” she said.

As a member of the WASPS (Westbourne Advising on School Pressures Squad) Chloe and her friend Shinice Donaldson, 16, of Norwich Road have a key role in making students feel safe in the school.

Meanwhile school councillor Shannon Goodrum, 16, from Whitton, said the voice that the new body gave students was very important.

“It gives us a chance to really have our say on important issues, like the new uniform. I think it looks pretty good,” she said.

They were speaking before they and scores of other pupils collected awards from headteacher Chris Edwards.

He welcomed the increased involvement of students in the running of the school - and told the audience of parents, governors and staff members that Westbourne had the most impressive students he had encountered in his teaching career.

Over the next few years the school is set to be transformed in a £20 million rebuild - but in the immediate future a new canteen and other new facilities for students are set to be completed during the summer holidays.