STUDENTS and staff at a Workington college are celebrating after Ofsted inspectors judge it ‘Outstanding’.

The Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) has been judged outstanding in all area of inspection and headteacher Cherry Tingle described the achievement as exceptional.

An earlier Ofsted report, in February 2017, had found the Lillyhall college required improvement.

Ms Tingle said: “Under the latest Ofsted framework, we are the first college of its kind to achieve this. It is rare to see such a steep trajectory of gains from our previous ‘requires improvement’ grading.”

Inspectors said Ms Tingle had “systematically and very skilfully developed high-quality leadership skills in all school leaders and managers.” The report praised an ethos where pupils’ aspirations were the best they could be and pointed to a transformation in attitudes once they joined the college thanks to “excellent support and guidance.”

Ms Tingle, who took over in 2016, said: “When I started, there was a range of problems, from results to the need for improvement in every area. My mantra was, and still is, everything has to be ‘good enough for my child’.

“There’s enormous satisfaction going from there to becoming one of the highest performing UTCs in the country.”

The 300 students mainly come from areas in or around Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport, Cockermouth and Egremont.

Nationally, only four percent of schools where above 25 per cent of students are eligible for free school meals (FSM) are judged to be outstanding. The percentage at the UTC is 40.

Ms Tingle said: “Of the country’s 54 UTCs, only one other is classed as outstanding.

“Employment levels are high. Six of Sellafield’s nationally offered recent degree apprenticeships went to our students. Iggesund Paperboard’s intake was all ours, while construction and regeneration company, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, mostly recruited our young people.

“At a normal secondary school, pupils are expected to make three grades progress in five years. Here, they make on average almost three grades in just two years. FSM students make better progress than non-FSMs nationally.

“However, there will be no resting on laurels and we will be striving to get even better.

“We want to help address the area’s skills shortages and boost both county and country with our talent, flair and ambition. Thanks to the outstanding Ofsted rating, our reputation has been well and truly reinforced.”

Industry partners include Morgan Sindall, Iggesund, Sellafield, the NDA, Jacobs and Nuvia.

Over 90 percent of students go into apprenticeships in engineering and civil engineering, compared to the national average of just 10 percent.

Ofsted commended an excellent technical education, highlighting work experience with national and international companies based in west Cumbria. It also hailed sixth formers’ success in securing superior jobs and training.

Ms Tingle said: “Our young people, described in the report as mature and respectful, routinely achieve excellent academic results and extended work experience. All students study employability skills and work with employers every week on real projects.

“At 16, they will have three practical engineering GCSE-level qualifications alongside English, maths and science. Eighteen-year-olds will have one or two A-level engineering qualifications in addition to mainstream subjects.

“I’m thrilled by the report, but not surprised. What goes on here is extraordinary, but it’s happening every single day. It is absolutely the norm that we expect - and get - a high degree of commitment and excellent levels of achievement.”

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland, said: “Many of the students are from my constituency. I take my hat off to each and every one of them and can’t praise highly enough the skills of Cherry Tingle and her fantastic team. You are credit to us all.”

Sellafield’s head of education and skills, Dr Donna Connor, said: “We offer the warmest congratulations to the whole UTC team for this outstanding success and are proud to be part of a leading educational phenomenon.

“Developing work ready science, technology, engineering and mathematics young people will bring long-standing benefits to us, the area, region and country for generations to come.”