A guard of honour was formed for much-loved teacher Lesley Walters, who has retired from The Bay CE School after 36 years.

She joined Sandown High School in 1988 as a PE teacher, then became head of PE, director of specialism and has been in the leadership team throughout its journey from Sandown High School to Sandown Bay Academy and now The Bay CE School.

Her most recent post was assistant headteacher.

In 2005, Mrs Walters successfully bid to get Sandown High School ‘Sports College’ status; something that contributed to so many sporting successes from ex-pupils, including Jess Martin who competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and Simon and Stuart Moore, successful goalkeepers.

The school has a fitness suite named after ex-student Louis Attrill, who won a gold medal for rowing in the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

The Sports College legacy has led to the school continuing to top the Isle of Wight sporting leagues today.

Mrs Walters worked tirelessly for the students and the local community in Sandown.

She organised countless spectacular events such as The Baylink Olympics where over 1,000 children from the bay area got together to compete in a mini Olympics.

Students paid their respects by giving her a guard of honour as she left the school.