PETER Symonds' College, Winchester, is outstanding. Ofsted inspectors, not given to hyperbole, have used the word 10 times in the two summary pages alone.

Furthermore, they added five "excellents". The full 60-page report confirms, in detail, the extremely high quality of provision at the open access state sixth form college.

There are 2,615 students on roll, but the inspection team commended the ethos of counting them all as individuals as the progress and well-being of every single young person is monitored. They praised the outstanding guidance and support for them during their time at the college, and in helping them progress towards higher education.

The proportion of curriculum areas given the best possible grade is the highest of any college in the South. The quality of teaching and the achievements of students was judged outstanding in science, mathematics, sport, humanities, leisure and travel, visual and performing arts and media, law, psychology and sociology and English, communications and modern foreign languages.

It was good in business administration, management and professional studies and information and communications technology.

Principal, Neil Hopkins, and his senior management team provided outstanding leadership and management supported by the highly effective governing body. There was excellent management of the curriculum combined with an excellent programme of quality assurance and self-assessment.

The college was effective at meeting the needs of students with learning difficulties and disabilities and student support services were particularly well-used and valued. There were outstanding enrichment activities available in sport, the arts, field trips and travel.

Examination results at all levels were outstanding. In 2004, three-quarters of the GCE A-level subjects had pass rates of 98% or better with just over half at A or B. On the five AVCE courses, there were 100% pass rates with over 60% at the higher grades. At AS level, the overall pass rate was 93%, 8% above the national average

Students taking general national vocational qualification (GNVQ) intermediate or GCSE courses also achieved pass rates well above the national average.

The Adult Learning Centre, too, received high praise. A close working partnership with external organisations ensured that relevant courses were provided for adults who were not normally involved in education. Innovative programmes successfully encouraged adults to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

The only key criticism was of cramped accommodation in a minority of lessons.

Mr Hopkins, said: "I am absolutely delighted. Staff and governors work so hard to try to provide our students with the best possible experience. It is wonderful to see their efforts recognised with such a resoundingly good report."