A sixth form college is celebrating an “outstanding” grade in all areas.

Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, Bhasvic, was given the rating by inspectorate Ofsted following a visit in December.

The college in Dyke Road, Hove, has now praised its staff for creating a “culture of support, inclusion and participation”.

William Baldwin, principal, said: “I am so proud of our students, staff and governors who were able to give the Ofsted inspectors an honest and inspiring insight into what being part of our college community is like.

“We are delighted that Ofsted recognised that teaching and learning at Bhasvic is stimulating, effective and inspiring but we are really pleased that they have recognised the Bhasvic culture of support, inclusion and participation that puts staff and student wellbeing at the heart of our college."

The Argus: William Baldwin, principal at BhasvicWilliam Baldwin, principal at Bhasvic (Image: BHASVIC)

The Ofsted visit in December was the first time the college has been inspected since 2012, when it was also graded “outstanding”.

In the Ofsted report published this morning, inspectors found that students were “courteous and highly respectful of their peers and teachers and enjoy the college community environment”.

The college was graded “outstanding” in all of the areas assessed, including overall effectiveness, the quality of education and personal developments.

New assessment criteria was recently implemented which places a greater emphasis on the development of students.

The report added: “Students benefit from a stimulating and highly supportive environment that is extremely conducive to learning. Teachers provide highly effective extension sessions, which are attended very well by students.

“As a result, the large majority of students achieve high outcomes and move on to positive destinations, including highly competitive universities, apprenticeships or employment.”

Inspectors also praised the teaching staff for their support of students, helping them to develop an “extensive understanding” of subjects and adding that “staff take pride in their work and are proud to be a member of the Bhasvic community”.

In the most recent round of exam results, the college was found to be in the top one per cent of providers for A-levels, where nearly half of grades were an A* or A.

Bhasvic caters for some 3,400 students, who come from all over Sussex.