BARROW Sixth Form College was praised by inspectors in 2005.
The college, in Rating Lane, was named on the Office for Standards in Education’s (Ofsted) annual list of outstanding schools.
It was among 457 colleges and schools nationwide singled out for being ‘extremely effective’ and providing ‘a consistently high standard of education’.
COLLEGE: Lucy Crowe, 18, with a coat made from treated plastic at an exhibition of work produced by art and design students from Barrow Sixth Form College at The Dock Museum in 1997
David Kelly, principal of Barrow Sixth Form College, said: “I am delighted we are included in the list.
“This is a significant honour because only 37 colleges in the country were singled out.
“The college takes pride in recognising students’ potential, having high expectations of them and providing them with strong support.”
Mr Kelly said a recent Ofsted report of the college had highlighted high pass rates, low numbers of pupils dropping out and students achieving better than expected results.
TEACH: Tutor Colin Aldred inside a sculpture created by student Gary Elliott, of Millom, at an exhibition of work produced by art and design students from Barrow Sixth Form College at The Dock Museum in 1997
Derek Lyon, chair of governors, said: “I am delighted the hard work of the college staff, students and governors has been recognised.
"We have a college that Barrow and the whole of Cumbria can be proud of.”
Four years later, in 2009, staff and students were celebrating after the college was described as outstanding by inspectors from Ofsted.
In 2008, the college’s A-Level pass rate was 98 per cent, with 23 courses achieving a 100 per cent pass rate.
Ofsted said communication between staff and students was excellent, teamwork was good and staff were highly motivated and enthusiastic.
COLLEGE: Barrow Sixth From College principal David Kelly celebrating with students after the college was named in Ofsted’s annual list of outstanding schools in 2005
Principal David Kelly was praised for providing excellent leadership in the college and the wider educational community.
Ofsted said students were enthusiastic about the college and their studies and described their behaviour as excellent.
The college was Cumbria's biggest A-Level provider and had 888 full-time 16-18-year-old students, mainly from the Furness district. There were also around 150 14 to 16-year-olds spending part of their week as the site.
The college also had an NVQ programme in the workplace.
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