Sidmouth College students and staff pose for a school photograph with a difference - with this stunning aerial shot taken from 40 feet in the air.

Sidmouth Herald: Photographer Neil Ewins took this stunning aerial shot celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sidmouth College. Ref shs sidmouth college aerial 2. Picture: Neil EwinsPhotographer Neil Ewins took this stunning aerial shot celebrating the 50th anniversary of Sidmouth College. Ref shs sidmouth college aerial 2. Picture: Neil Ewins (Image: Archant)

More than 800 people squeezed into a template designed by Kate Truman and Charlotte Pollentine last Friday for the special snap to mark the college’s 50th anniversary.

Mrs Truman said: “We calculated how many people could fit in a square metre and measured it out with a metre wheel. We are thrilled with the photos – they are more than we hoped for.”

Capturing the image was photographer Neil Ewins, who navigated his S1000 Octocopter - an unmanned aerial vehicle - up to 40 feet before taking a series of photographs and videos for the school.

The picture had previously been delayed four times due to poor weather conditions.

Neil, a photographer of 15 years, said: “It was really exciting. I was quite pleased and to see all the children waving in unison was quite fantastic.”