Dartmouth Academy – which is on the verge of an £8.5m rebuild – has just announced an 11.8 percent increase in pupil numbers.

And it is preparing for even more youngsters to sign up as the massive rebuild promises to give the school some of the best specialist education facilities in the county.

A total of 18 pupils have joined the primary section of the academy since October and more have applied to join this term.

Another 22 students have joined the academy's secondary section and 6th form during the same period.

The academy now has 528 pupils and students – up from 472 in September 2010.

This increase in numbers means that plans to have a year-per-class in the primary phase of the academy have been brought forward by a full year.

It is now planned to have this system in September 2013 or perhaps even sooner, depending on further admissions.

Principal Nick Hindmarsh said the rapid increase in numbers is incredibly pleasing to the academy not least because numbers are rising while the number of children across south Devon is falling.

'Dartmouth is bucking a trend thanks to rising standards, improving results, hardworking staff and a family atmosphere,' he said.

'We are delighted that families in Dartmouth and beyond are turning to us to meet the educational needs of their children.

'We have had a positive year for results. Staff here are working incredibly hard to drive up standards and they are succeeding.

'We have a strong and relevant curriculum that is helping all students make better progress, and our rebuild means everyone is soon going to have facilities to be proud of here.

'There is an atmosphere of positivity and achievement, and it is inspiring parents and their children to choose Dartmouth again, to trust their local school. We foster a supportive, family atmosphere and it shows in the behaviour and attitude of our pupils and students, and we are proud of how well they are doing, ably supported by our hard-working staff.'