Croydon College has been celebrating this week after Ofsted upped its rating from “satisfactory” to “good”.
The rating, the second-highest possible, was given after inspectors spent five days at the College in June.
Mariane Cavalli, the college's principal, said the grade was testament to the hard work of students and staff since the last inspection in 2005.
She said: “We've known for a long time that Croydon College is a great college for our students and also a leading employer in Croydon. I am really pleased that this has been recognised by Ofsted.”
In their report, Ofsted's inspectors ranked all but one of the subjects taught by the college as “good”.
They also praised the college's attitudes to social and educational inclusion, as well as its capacity to improve standards. Senior management and the college's governors were described as “outstanding” and the inspectors said the best lessons they observed had actively engaged students.
The inspection is the latest favourable assessment of the college, which has over 13,000 students made up of both young people and adult learners.
Last year it was placed in the top 5 per cent of schools nationally for the attainment of its pupils compared to those from similar backgrounds.
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