SCHOOL inspectors have placed a North-East college at the top of the class.

Manor College of Technology, in Hartlepool, is celebrating after an Ofsted report with an outstanding grading put it in the top eight per cent of schools nationally.

The report is highly complimentary, with overall effectiveness, leadership, personal development and guidance all judged to be outstanding.

It described Manor as "a place where young people from different backgrounds come together to work in an environment where they feel safe and secure and where there is a high level of mutual respect. Learners enjoy coming to school."

Headteacher Alan White is praised for providing outstanding leadership and a clear vision for the school.

The college was previously inspected in November 1999, when Ofsted described it as an effective college with no key issues or weaknesses.

Six years later, Ofsted has awarded its highest grade to the school.

Manor is praised for its relentless focus on improving and Ofsted reports that standards at the end of year 11 have risen significantly since the last inspection and are "well above the national average".

The number of students who gain five or more A* to C passes has risen and this year was much higher than the national average.

Ken Watson, chairman of governors, views the college's GCSE five A* to C results for the past three years, 53, 67 and 74 per cent, along with this outstanding report, as a springboard for the future.

He said: "With this endorsement, we will seek new partnerships with capital investment a high priority."