HUDDERSFIELD New College is on track to become an outstanding sixth-form – provided it tackles some key issues.

The latest Ofsted report graded the college as good in all main assessment areas, with some features rated as outstanding.

All subject areas were rated as good, with the exception of science and maths, which received only a satisfactory grade.

Ofsted grades schools and colleges as outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate.

The report followed a rigorous four-day inspection from October 11 to 14 by eight inspectors.

The inspectors received an unusually high response from the sixth form students. Some 700 emailed Ofsted with their comments and a high percentage of them were involved in focus groups.

The Ofsted results have been welcomed by the school principal Angela Williams.

She said: “We are delighted with this latest inspection report. It has confirmed our position as a good sixth form college with many positive features and this is based on our academic achievement.

“The inspectors found that our success rates are really high – the highest achieved by the college.

“What’s really special about this report, though, are the comments made by our students about the college.

“Students are clearly proud of the college and enjoy college life. What’s more, they impressed inspectors with their exemplary behaviour and high attendance.”

The college currently has 2,300 full-time students – an increase of 20% over the last four years.

The main finding of the Ofsted report stated : “Success rates have improved and are at the high sixth form college national average.”