GREENHEAD College is probably the best sixth-form college in the country.

It has been given a beacon status and OFSTED inspectors said it was the best college it had inspected this year.

Every year around 30 of its students go to Oxford or Cambridge universities and the college's A-level pass rate is a staggering 99.5%.

All this good news consistently raises the college's - and Huddersfield's - profile.

College principal Martin Rostron revealed some of the secrets behind the amazing success.

The main one is the way staff and students work closely together to make sure the youngsters reach their full potential. Every student is given a mentor from the 20 teachers who are specialists in personal tutoring.

These teachers deal with any problems - academic or personal - and often become good friends with the students as they give advice on job or university applications.

Under the college's Value Added System, each subject teacher talks to all their students once a term.

Mr Rostron said: "We mentor them in every subject and talk about their potential to make sure they aim as high as they possibly can.

"We then give them all the support and help to get them there."

Every student is also expected to do an enrichment course in sport, music, drama or voluntary service such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme to forge an interest in something worthwhile away from academic studies.

Greenhead College is one of 20 institutions awarded Learning and Skills Beacon status for its high-quality teaching and learning.

It means it is now a role model for other colleges.