A BURY sixth form is celebrating after being rated ‘good’ by inspectors.

Holy Cross College in Manchester Road, received the rating following a visit from Ofsted in December.

It comes two years after the college was told it ‘requires improvement’ by the education watchdog.

Inspectors have awarded the improved rating after finding that governors and leaders at the college had successfully rectified most of the weaknesses identified at the last inspection.

Following their visit, Ofsted praised college leaders for creating ‘a culture of high expectations’ where staff and students ‘strive for excellence’.

They added that the quality of teaching, learning and assessment had improved and is now deemed to be ‘good’.

Inspectors noted that a ‘high proportion of students progress to prestigious universities, dance and drama academies, and conservatoires.’

Principal David Frost said: “We are delighted that Ofsted have judged everything about Holy Cross to be ‘good’.

“We are particularly pleased that Ofsted commented that ‘governors and staff have maintained a supportive and caring environment which promotes the college’s mission and Roman Catholic ethos’ and where ‘study programmes are skilfully designed to provide students with a range of opportunities to develop their personal, social, ethical and moral understanding of the world in which they live, reflecting the values and ethos of the college.’

“This is dear to our hearts and the hearts of many people in Bury, who have benefited for over 140 years from the charism of the Daughters of the Cross.

“We look forward to celebrating this great news - alongside our recent excellent university centre inspection report - as we open our beautiful new entrance buildings and cloisters at the beginning of February.”