GREENHEAD College has been named the top state sixth form college in Yorkshire.

And it’s in the top three of such colleges in the country.

The ranking is in the prestigious Sunday Times Schools Guide and ‘scoring’ is on the average number of Level 3 points per student gained in A-level and equivalent examinations over the three years from 2009 to 2011.

Greenhead Principal Martin Rostron said: “We are delighted and it’s simply down to the efforts of students and staff.

“We’ve got great, positive and hardworking students who work with dedicated staff who look after the students and try to get the best out of them and help them achieve the best they can.”

Asked what other colleges could do to replicate Greenhead’s success, he replied: “Be realistic about what the students’ targets should be and give them careful and powerful support and education to help them achieve what they are capable of.”

Cardinal Newman College in Preston was first and Winstanley College in Wigan was placed second. Greenhead’s third place beat colleges in Stourbridge and Winchester.

The top 400 state and fee-paying independent secondary schools based on results of the 2012 A-level and GCSE examinations is published by the newspaper at the weekend.