BROCKENHURST College has been awarded Beacon College status - the highest accolade for post-16 learning - by the Department of Education and Skills.

The award was made by Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Dr Kim Howells, at a ceremony in London.

Beacon Colleges qualities of excellence in teaching, learning and outstanding leadership and management were identified by the Ofsted inspectors last April and underlined by the summer's examination results putting Brockenhurst among the top 10 of more than 300 colleges in the country.

The team being presented with the award included Spencer Thompson a second year A-level student from Ringwood, governor Graham Swetman, physics tutor Alex Crutchley, student health and welfare officer Sue Knight and the principal Michael Snell.

In addition to achieving the prestigious award, the Brockenhurst will be given the funds to share its best practice with other colleges.

Brockenhurst College enrols some 2,300 sixth formers on a wide-ranging programme of academic and vocational qualifications including the International Baccalaureate with students drawn from Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.

The college also provides education and training programmes for more than 10,000 part-time students, some on Higher Education courses, and a growing number of employers. This year it is leading a pathfinder project for more than 600 14-16 year old students from local schools who are attending vocational skills-based programmes at new skills centres.

Mr Snell said: "This is a great day for our students and staff and a real cause for celebration.

"Congratulations and thanks to all - this award is for them and they thoroughly deserve it."

First published: November 3