College emerges from buildings fiasco to score high marks from inspectors

The glowing inspection marks the end of a tumultuous 18 months for Barnsley College. Managers had found themselves at the centre of a national funding fiasco after they only discovered that the cash to replace old buildings was under threat once their demolition had started.

After talks with both former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his successor David Cameron, the college was able to secure money for its rebuilding project. It is expected to be completed next year.

Now, staff and students are preparing to move into their new home as the highest-rated college in the country. An Ofsted inspection rated 20 out of 22 assessment areas as outstanding, making it the top rated college under the education watchdog's new inspection framework. Barnsley is a tertiary college as it acts as both a sixth-form and a provider of further education.

Principal Colin Booth said its success showed that colleges could be better placed to deliver A-levels than groups of small school sixth forms.

"I think it shows that the tertiary college system works and it might be that other areas look to use this system rather than small sixth forms at a time when people are looking at efficiency.

"I have often said that outstanding teaching and learning does not depend on bricks and mortar but on excellent and committed staff and students.

"We have smashed all recruitment targets with around 5,000 16-18 year olds and 2,000 adults studying at the college," said Mr Booth. "But our focus and priority is always about quality, and we work tirelessly to ensure every one of our learners reach, and regularly surpass their potential.

Ofsted said: "The college provides an inspirational resource for the Barnsley community and a transformational one for many learners" and "learners make outstanding progress at the college, and for many, the period they spend at the college represents a life-transforming journey.

The college said students' achievements and commitment spoke for themselves.

Ofsted also praised college leadership and management as outstanding.