CALLINGTON Community College has been deemed 'outstanding' in its latest Ofsted report.

Staff, governors, parents and students are celebrating this week after inspectors gave the top rating to the four key areas of achievement, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety and leadership and management.

It follows recent success in the league tables in which the college, which became an academy school last April, came out as the top comprehensive school in Cornwall.

College principal Gary Lobbett said he was delighted with the highly positive judgement by Ofsted inspectors and this recognition of the college's outstanding achievements.

'I would like to thank everyone who helps make the college so successful — staff, parents, governors and of course the students of whose achievements we are all very proud.

'We are also grateful for the continuing support of a wide range of partners both in education and other fields which contribute to and enhance our work.

'This judgement provides a firm foundation for further and continuous progress. Ofsted has confirmed that there is no sense of complacency here. We shall sustain and continually improve the very high standards established at Callington Community College.'

Inspectors stated that the college's drive for continuous improvement had established high and rising levels of attainment and excellent achievement for all students.

Outstanding teaching ensured all groups of students made rapid, sustained progress and excellent learning was supported by students extremely positive attitudes.

The sixth form was highly successful, annually increasing in size and popularity, said the report. High quality teaching and a curriculum closely tailored to students' needs promoted excellent progress.

Behaviour in and out of lessons was often exemplary and students collaborated closely with staff and their peers, showing fierce concentration.

Inspectors found that lessons fully promoted students' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, ensuring they developed a profound understanding of other beliefs, values and cultures.

Chairman of governors Peter Lee said the report was 'brilliant': 'In our last Ofsted report three years ago it said we had some outstanding features and since then we have been concentrating on the things that were highlighted for improvement

'At Callington we work hard to ensure that all students reach a level that is above their expectations.'

Parent Mary Taylor, who has two children at the college, one in the sixth form and one in Year 8, said what was on offer for students at Callington was fantastic.

'There is a real air of excitement in the place — the children are enthusiastic about learning, which is a great thing to see.

'To have Ofsted agree with what we already know is amazing.'

In last year's GCSE results 90% of boys and 90% of girls achieved five or more A*-C grades and 68% of students achieved 5 A*-C grades, including English and mathematics.

Year 11 students exceeded all previous results at the college — their achievements are significantly above the national average.

One area in which the college needs to improve is developing more innovative approaches to support the closer engagement of parents and carers who have so far proved hard to reach.