HEADTEACHER of Okehampton College, Philip Herriman, has praised college staff and students following a 'very pleasing report' from OFSTED inspectors.
The commitment and hard work by teachers of the 1,219-pupil school was highlighted in the report.
Mr Herriman said he was particularly pleased the good working relationship between teachers and parents had been noted and that all pupils were encouraged to do their best.
'Standards in GCSE results have improved since the last inspection and in the sixth form standards in work are above average in all A-level subjects,' he said.
'This is a very pleasing report and the college staff and students are to be congratulated.'
Other good work highlighted included a commitment to the care and welfare of pupils, effective links with the community and contributory primary schools, a good range of extra-curricular activities and an excellent peer education system.
The report stated most pupils of all abilities were making satisfactory progress across all subjects.
Last year, Key Stage 3 test results were broadly in line with the national average, although results in English were above average.
In 1999, the proportion of pupils obtaining five or more A* to C grades at GCSE was above the national average.
Inspectors said that A-level results had been improving steadily and 1999 had seen a 100 per cent pass rate for GNVQ, intermediate or advanced level students compared with 73 per cent nationally.
There was praise for the good attitudes of the students and the report said that pupils enjoyed going to school and for many of them it was the focus of their social lives.
Good class management produced very good behaviour, said the report.
The inspectors found the quality of teaching had improved since the previous inspection. Overall the teaching was said to be satisfactory but good in many subjects.
Provision for moral, social and cultural education was seen to be good and so were the procedures for child protection and ensuring pupils' welfare.
Overwhelmingly parents were supportive of the college and satisfied with the progress of their children and the quality of provision made.
Experienced, thoughtful and committed leadership offered the college stability and a clear sense of purpose said the report which also highlighted the hard work of the governing body.
Key issues to be addressed included strengthening the management structure, deploying staff more effectively, improving the quality of teaching in foreign languages and religious education and continuing to address the under-achievement of boys.
The Chair of governors, John Domaille, praised the staff for their contribution and continuous hard work.
He said he was pleased that inspectors recorded the college gave good value for money especially in view of the fact that they also recorded the income per pupil was below average and that the college had insufficient teachers.
'There is clearly an issue nationally of unfair funding in rural communities to which OFSTED, while recording it, could offer no solution,' said Mr Domaille.