AN INSPECTION report shows Huddersfield Technical College is continuing to improve student success.

The college has also been praised for providing good standards of teaching and learner support.

The report follows an annual assessment visit by Ofsted inspectors in January, when the college was praised for its overall rising trend in success rates, significant improvement in apprenticeship achievement rates, improving progress that students make, and its good support for students.

The inspectors stated that:

* 66% of teaching and learning was good or better.

* There was much evidence of good practice in teaching and learning.

* There is an overall rising trend in success rates in most areas, especially at level 2 (equivalent to GCSE) for 16 to 18-year- olds.

* Work-based learning success rates show a 35% overall improvement.

The inspectors also found there was more emphasis on the early identification of students' potential for success. The college's capacity for providing additional learning support was improving and the quality was good.

But the inspectors urged more attention on the keeping of students on courses, and punctuality.

College principal and chief executive Chris Sadler said: "The college is delighted that Ofsted has recognised the considerable progress made since their last visit.

"In the areas that were re-inspected, construction and hairdressing, which have now been graded as "good", staff and managers have worked extremely hard to ensure that students now experience good quality learning opportunities and excellent career prospects.

"These are just two examples of the overall positive progress that Ofsted observed and we are delighted to have confirmation that we are providing higher quality opportunities for careers in a wide range of vocational areas for more people.

"The staff and managers deserve great credit for this positive report and we have even higher aspirations for the future."