A LEYLAND college has missed out on joining an elite band of beacon colleges because the inspector failed to call!

Bosses at Runshaw College, in Leyland, had been expected to be named among the first list of colleges to be given beacon status, chosen as sixth form centres to set an example to those colleges which aren't performing to the right standards.

To be given the beacon status, colleges need to have been awarded grade one (the highest mark) from inspectors for five inspections in a row.

But because Runshaw was performing so well, inspectors due to visit the college this year, decided to shelve their next inspection for 12 months - meaning the college has missed out.

The college's which have the ten best inspection reports have all been made beacon colleges. Runshaw was number 11 because it has yet to receive its fifth grade one inspection.

College spokesman Jim Smith said: "We expect to be awarded beacon status in the future.

"The inspectors were confident enough with the college to hold off from our next inspection for 12 months but that has worked against us.

"It's the one time we wanted the inspector to come on time!"

A department for Education and Employment spokesman said more beacon colleges will be announced in the future.

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