COLLEGE chiefs are celebrating after being praised in an Ofsted report.

The 'good' rating for Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester is a boost for principal Luke Rake who took over last year.

The visit from Ofsted inspectors in October was the first short inspection carried out since the provider was judged to be good three years ago.

Mr Rake was told in a letter from Ofsted: "Since your arrival in August 2016, you and your senior management team have developed a nurturing, respectful and collaborative culture that encourages learners and staff to work well together.

"You have successfully increased the number of full-time students aged between 16 and 18 at a time when this age group is declining locally. Staff work hard to continue to provide good quality learning and an overall positive experience for your learners."

The letter from the inspector, Helen Flint, adds: "You and your management team have made good progress in most of the areas for development highlighted at the previous inspection. Managers continue to develop an ethos of high expectations. This led to an improvement in the achievements of most learners in the previous academic year following a decline in 2015/16. You recognise that you need to develop this further."

The letter recognises that the college continued to invest in quality facilities – including a new fleet of tractors and agricultural technology buildings.

It adds that safeguarding is effective.

In one of the findings, the inspector says leaders are aware that not enough teachers and assessors challenge learners effectively. Inspectors observed "uninspiring teaching from a minority of teachers". The college has been urged to provide challenging work and use a variety of interesting and innovative activities in theory lessons.

Mr Rake said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome for the college, which recognises the successes and the fact that virtually every student progresses from here at the end of their course into employment or further study. As the only remaining independent land-based college in the south west peninsula, it is really important to me that Dorset has strong provision in our areas of expertise.”

Mr Rake said inspections were helpful to highlight the next steps, and the college's aim is to improve further.

A recent Ofsted inspection of the Dorset Studio School on the shared Kingston Maurward campus, rated it as good in all areas.

College chairman of governors Jim Tirrell said: “We are very happy to have retained our status as a ‘good’ college, through the continuing hard work of all the staff and students, in what continues to be challenging times for all education providers. This is now a springboard to help us continue to grow and strive to achieve an Ofsted ‘outstanding’ judgement when Ofsted visits us again.”