GOOD teaching, good student support, good leadership and management and good external links - that is the official view of Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton.

Confirmation of the college's achievements and reputation comes in the form of the latest inspection report from OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) and ALI (Adult Learning Inspectorate), just published.

The report identifies the college's many key strengths, which include good support for students and good leadership and management.

It also contains detailed assessments of all major teaching areas, the college's links with employers and external organisations, teaching areas and physical environment.

Principal Alison Scott said: "The report is so encouraging for everyone at the college and it could not have come at a better time.

"Our dynamic new conference and enterprise centre, which is part of our major development programme, has just opened and our strong links with employers and the business community were one of the areas highlighted by the inspectors."

The inspection team spent a week at the college in May this year and looked at all aspects of the college's operation.

In addition, the college is involved in continuing its self-assessment, which forms an essential part of the inspection process.

"There has been some criticism nationally that further education colleges are not working closely enough with employers and are therefore failing to equip students and trainees with the skills needed in today's working world," said Mrs Scott.

She continued: "However, as this inspection report makes clear, this is certainly not the case at SCAT."

In terms of student achievement, inspectors noted that pass rates were "above national averages at all levels", and graded five of the main teaching areas as good, with the remaining six as satisfactory.

Although the overall report was highly favourable, the inspection team identified a small number of areas where they would like to see improvements: these included student punctuality and targets for students.

The college is addressing all the areas through a series of action plans.

Mrs Scott said: "I'm really delighted with the report - it places us in the top quartile of general further education colleges."