LEEDS City College – of which the Keighley campus is a part – has received a glowing Ofsted report.

Inspectors rated its overall effectiveness as 'good', and in three categories awarded 'outstanding' grades.

But they also reported that the proportion of students achieving qualifications at Keighley was lower than in the rest of the college group.

Despite this, Heather Whitehead – director of operations at Keighley College – said she was pleased with the report.

"I'm proud of all staff and students for their hard work and commitment to making Keighley College a great place to learn," she said.

"We strive to transform the lives of students, businesses and our community, and this report shows that our dynamic and enterprising culture is making a difference."

The college's apprenticeships and quality of teaching, learning and assessment were among areas graded 'good'.

And its full-time provision for 14-to-16-year-olds, provision for learners with high needs and personal development, behaviour and welfare were all described as outstanding.

But Ofsted says more needs to be done to ensure that students attending Keighley College do as well as those at other sites within the group by improving achievement rates, particularly in English and maths.

The inspection team, led by Charles Searle, said the Leeds City College chief executive officer and senior leaders had a "very clear vision and ambition" for the group of colleges and were determined to ensure it was realised.

"They are relentless in demanding excellence from all those employed in the organisation," Ofsted reports.

"As a result, the outcomes for students and apprentices – and the quality of the teaching, learning and assessment – have improved significantly since the previous inspection."

Governors have a strong understanding of the strengths and most of the weaknesses across the college group, which caters for more than 20,000 students and apprentices drawn from throughout the Leeds City Region.

The report says the majority of teachers and assessors are highly qualified and "use their vocational experience well to develop students' and apprentices' skills for work".

"They combine their subject knowledge with their teaching craft to devise activities to motivate their students," it adds.

"Students and apprentices benefit from working with industry-standard resources and equipment that prepare them well for their work placements and transition into employment.

"Keighley College students experiment with digital fabrication equipment in the state-of-the-art Star Centre, while engineering apprentices use advanced

technologies in the Industrial Centre for Excellence."

The report praises the students and apprentices for their behaviour.

"The large majority behave extremely well and are respectful and polite," it says.

"They treat each other with consideration."

It adds that students take part in a "wide and exciting range of enrichment activities" and benefit from a "highly inclusive environment where all are welcome and diverse lifestyles and cultures are celebrated".

The full report can be found at reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/135771.