STAFF and students at Evesham College were celebrating this week after receiving a glowing report from school inspectors Ofsted.

Evesham and Malvern Hills College was inspected from March 27 to 31 2006 where 'good' grades were awarded across the board for all of the main sections of the report.

The grades work on a sliding scale of grade one being outstanding and grade four being inadequate so grade two was good news for the college, which caters for A level students and provides adults with numerous educational and practical courses.

Commenting on the inspection, Principal of Evesham college David Blades said: "I am extremely proud of the achievements of our students and of course our staff, who are dedicated to providing the best service possible to local people.

"The inspectors look at the history of results for the previous four years and they have recognised the very high standards we have consistently achieved.

"We are already working to make further improvements as we want to be a beacon college for South Worcestershire."

The overall grading areas covered in the report were effectiveness of provision, capacity to improve, achievement and standards, quality of provision and leadership and management in which all were awarded grade two.

The curriculum areas marked out in the report were health, social and childcare, engineering, information and communication technology, hairdressing and beauty therapy, preparation for life and work and business studies. Again, all of these were awarded a 'good' grade.

Among the key strengths of the college were improved success rates for all learners and good leadership, whilst areas for improvement were the consistency of group tutorials and the take up of learning support.