The Royal Manor School is on the craggy outcrop of Portland which juts out into the English Channel from the Dorset mainland. It is connected, just, to the mainland by the Chesil Beach, renowned as the longest pebble beach in the world. The Royal Manor is the only 11 to 16 comprehensive on the island, as it is known, and has 750 pupils, including nine sets of twins. Until they closed, causing the loss of 5,000 jobs, the Royal Navy and the MoD were the main employers. But the school’s industry and community project manager, Gary Fooks, says not all is doom and gloom and that there are other businesses such as Cable and Wireless and five diving companies.

Snaps by Gary fooks

* Skill:Matthew’s work placement.

* Brief encounter:early morning in the staffroom.

* Double trouble:the twin net minders from the roller hockey team.

* Come and get it:Keith, on part-time work placement, passes his basic food hygiene qualification.

* Scenic route:the 18-mile Chesil Beach and the short cut over the bridge.

* Everyone on stage: dance for Year 7.

* Guten Abend:extra-curricular German.