A NORTH-EAST college is believed to be among the top five in the country following an exceptional Ofsted report.

Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, which last year helped rank the Darlington area second in the country for A-level results, was highly praised by inspectors.

It received outstanding rankings in more than 70 per cent of its subjects.

Students at the school come from Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.

The Ofsted report praised the college's outstanding pass rates and low drop-out rates, and assessed maths, information technology, business, leisure, performing arts, music and humanities - which amount to almost two-thirds of the curriculum - as outstanding, the highest possible Ofsted ranking.

It also praised principal David Heaton's leadership of the 1,600-student college, teaching, links with the local community, support for students, friendly staff and financial management.

Only one area was identified for improvement - accessibility for disabled students, but Mr Heaton said a major building project was under way at the college.

Mr Heaton, who has been principal for 12 years, said: "We aim to be one of the country's leading sixth form colleges and this confirms that.

"A successful learning establishment can sometimes feel under pressure to maintain excellence but all the staff are committed to doing that and we are aiming to improve the college even more with our building project."

Pam Eccles, executive director of Learning and Skills Council Tees Valley, said: "Young people in and around Darlington have the opportunity to experience excellence at the college. These results are a tribute to the principal, governors, staff and students."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who visited the college last week to be questioned by students about tuition fees, said: "This confirms that Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College is one of the best in the country, and the people of Darlington should be thrilled that our students have such a centre of academic excellence on their doorstep."