Blackburn College has been named as one of the best in the country after Government inspectors deemed it outstanding in every way.

The college has achieved the accolade less than four years after Ofsted inspectors found success rates and retention on some courses to be below the national average, and some of its teaching was found wanting.

Principal Ian Clinton, who joined the college three-and-a-half years ago, tells us how it has become a leader in its field LISTENING to and valuing students and staff are key to Blackburn College's success.

And according to Mr Clinton, that is key to the success of any college.

Following their visit in November, Ofsted inspectors praised the way that the college's 11,000-plus students are listened to and their opinions inform the changes that are made.

And the college was judged as outstanding for effectiveness of provision, capacity to improve, achievement and standards, quality of provision and leadership and management.

In last year's A-levels the college had an exam pass rate of 99.1 per cent. In 25 subjects the pass rate was 100 per cent.

Mr Clinton said: "One of the first things I did was to put an emphasis on listening to students about what they want, and what the best way is for them to learn, the best way for them to be successful students.

"This is vital, because everyone is different.

"But it's not just finding out what they respond to best, it's important to listen to what the student body want as a whole. We cannot agree to everything, but we ask them to prioritise what they want or need most and will try to do that. For instance, students raised an issue about inadequate revision resources, so we spent £5,000 on extra books.

"In total we have spent around £3million on new resources over the past three years, including for ICT and sport."

Mr Clinton is something of an authority on getting the best out of colleges - he steered two others to success before coming to Blackburn in 2004, as principal at Joseph Priestley College in Leeds, and Halton College, Widnes.

He said that staff retention and morale is now much higher thanks to a focused drive on supporting and listening to them.

"We have worked a lot on supporting and incent-ivising staff, through pay awards for when targets are reached or exceeded, which helps to motivate them.

"We have done a lot of work with teaching and learning, with regular observations of lessons and we work to support staff if they have any weaknesses.

"We also offer ongoing training to our staff, who are all entitled to eight days of training a year, and we have a policy of internal promotion, which has seen 140 staff have one form of promotion or other."

Ofsted recognises the benefits: "A range of highly successful actions has significantly improved the quality of teaching and learning."

Communication is key.

Mr Clinton said: "When I arrived, the college was very much a disparate group of departments and buildings, so people were acting in a less-than-organised way.

"We needed a meaningful direction for the whole college, so 18 months ago all staff signed up to a vision for the college. Ofsted's report shows that we have realised it, and I'm absolutely delighted.

"We knew we were doing well, but it's day-to-day work for us - to hear we have one of the best reports Ofsted has ever given was wonderful."

But he says the work doesn't stop here.

The second phase of Blackburn College's £38 million building masterplan is set to begin in the next few months, which will address the only area Ofsted identified for improvement - accommodation.

Mr Clinton said: "We had a range of buildings from Victorian to 1960s design, and it needs updating."

The college now wants look beyond its own confines to help the wider community.

"Whilst it's an honour to have a report like this, it means the college has a responsibility to do more for its community."