An "inclusive and high aspiring" college has lost its ‘outstanding’ rating in its first full inspection in 14 years.

Runshaw College in Leyland has been rated ‘good’ with several ‘outstanding’ features in its first inspection since 2008.

Inspectors visited the site between March 7 and March 10. It was rated good in quality of education, leadership and management, education programmes for young people and apprenticeships

It was rated outstanding in behaviour and attitudes, personal development, adult learning programmes and provision for learners with high needs.

The inspector's report said: “Leaders and managers have a clear rationale for the curriculum across all provision types.

“They have designed a well-thought-out and ambitious curriculum, that helps most students and apprentices achieve ambitious destinations and career goals.

“Leaders and managers work effectively with other providers and external partners to ensure that most of the curriculum meets both the needs of their local and regional areas, and the wider ambitions of their students and apprentices."

The inspectors said curriculums were planned “logically” and with “natural links” between subjects which prepare students for their chosen career paths.

They said most staff have high expectations of students and apprentices which helps students quickly develop independent skills, but that this is not always the case.

The inspection added: “Students who struggle to understand new information and concepts on their own find this approach challenging. They are unable to make the progress expected of them.

“A minority of teachers do not consistently or rigorously check students' understanding of the key information that they have read independently.

"As a result, teachers do not always identify and rectify any misconceptions that students have unintentionally developed.”

Although most teachers record and monitor students' progress comprehensively, processes for monitoring apprentices' progress are less well developed.

Safeguarding measures are effective and the governors are "highly ambitious" and have a clear vision for the college.