THE principal of Burnley College has praised students who achieved a pass rate of more than 90 per cent on all courses in 2003.

Speaking at the college's annual awards evening, held at Burnley Mechanics Theatre last night, he said these results confirmed Burnley as a high achieving college, with students gaining more than 10,000 nationally recognised qualifications in the last academic year.

Results achieved by students aged 16 to 19 in the sixth form group in June 2003 placed Burnley College in the top 10 per cent of colleges in the country, according to the education watchdog OFSTED.

Mr Smith said: "These standards have been maintained in 2003 with an overall achievement rate of 90 per cent. Our A level students recorded a pass rate of 95 per cent. Our young students studying on the Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education, vocational A levels, recorded a pass rate of 92 per cent. Students on other important vocational programmes - GNVQs, BTEC and NVQs - had a pass rate of 90 per cent. As a result of these achievements, we sent 211 students on to higher education this year.

"These figures are a credit to both students and staff and are something for Burnley as a whole to be proud of."

Mr Smith talked about the positive partnerships built with local high schools, particularly with the two other sixth form providers - St Theodore's and Habergham - which has allowed the choice of A levels studied by students in Burnley to be extended.

He said: "Eighteen young people are currently enjoying the choice of subjects they would not otherwise have had. This is a ground breaking development from which local youngsters are benefiting."

The growing partnership between the college and the University of Central Lancashire was also highlighted by the principal - a range of 24 of the University's programmes are offered at the college and seven students who began their higher education in Burnley graduated in 2003 with first class honours from the University.

Guests of honour at the awards evening were the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Lilian Clark, and Malcolm McVicar, from the University of Central Lancashire.