A SOUTHAMPTON college has been praised for its high teaching standards, strong leadership and community outreach work by Ofsted inspectors.

During their five-day visit to Itchen College they found the quality of education and training to be good in seven of the nine areas of learning examined.

These were science and mathematics; business; sports, leisure and tourism; English and modern foreign languages; health and social care and public services; visual and performing arts and media, and humanities.

College principal Barry Hicks was also praised for his leadership and clear vision.

Inspectors found that the college, which caters for about 1,100 students aged 16 to 18 and 1,200 students aged 19 and over, helped youngsters make good progress, with detailed feedback and marking of students' work.

The college was also found to be successful in expanding part-time adult provision and promoting lifelong learning.

Mr Hicks said he was delighted with the Ofsted report.

"I was very pleased with the inspection team's findings at this stage of the college's progress.

"If they came to see the college now we would score even more highly as we are continuing to improve."

The college's Ofsted report comes in a record-breaking year, with students posting a 97 per cent A-level pass rate.

Of those who sat the exams, 42.9 per cent of students gained a top A or B grade.