Collegiate is 'top of the class'

4:01pm Wednesday 27th June 2007

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STUDENTS and staff at Warrington Collegiate have proved themselves top of the class following their best Ofsted results.

The education watchdog has rated the Winwick Road campus as "good" following an April inspection - the second best mark available.

Special praise was reserved for the hairdressing and beauty therapy courses, the success rates of adult leaners, the standard of the new facilities and the strong and effective leadership.

However inspectors criticised the success rates for 16-18-year-olds, the curriculum management in some areas and the initial assessment of 14-16-year-olds.

College principal Paul Hafren said the results reflect the hard work of all those at the Collegiate.

He added: "I am highly delighted.

"It is all down to the tremendous efforts of staff and students and it is the best result the college has had.

"It also makes it one of the best colleges in the town."

The campus had enrolments of almost 20,000 last year with 1,692 full and part-time courses on offer when the inspectors visited.

They reported on good capacity for the college to improve again on these results and praised the improved retention rates of students. The Hairdressing and beauty therapy courses were rated outstanding - the top mark you can receive.

It did criticise teaching standards saying they did not see enough outstanding teaching during their visit.