COULSDON Sixth Form College has been graded "good" in its latest Ofsted report, the Advertiser understands.
Education inspectors visited the college after half-term and gave it their second-best rating in all but one category, according to a well-placed source.
Outcomes for learners was the only category to be given a lower 'three' grade, mainly due to the lack of exams since the college's 'inadequate' rating of just over one year ago.
The report is subject to Ofsted quality assurance but the grades are not expected to change, the Advertiser believes.
The grade would mark a rapid turnaround for the Old Coulsdon college rated 'inadequate' in early 2013 for the second time in a row, sparking a takeover by Reigate College.
Executive principal Steve Oxlade said he was not yet allowed to talk publicly about the report, but he was "really, really" proud.
He added: "I am probably most proud of the staff. I think we can look forward now with real confidence to the future not on a promise but on the reality.
"The inspection team said that between them they had 50 years of inspection experience and they had never met such a courteous group of students."
Inspectors visited the college the week after half term, with one day's notice, he confirmed.
He said: "People did not have time to make special preparations, we just did what we normally do and they saw it as it is."
The college is now focused on making sure students get the best possible results in the exams.
"We are getting as many extra lessons and revision sessions as we can," he added.
In an interim Ofsted inspection report published in December, inspectors spoke of a "remarkable" turnaround at the college, in Placehouse Lane.
Inspector Alan Hinchliffe said the college had made "significant improvements" in almost all measures, including teaching and students' attitudes.
Governor Chris Wright said this week: "It has been a wonderful change around really, and quickly.
"Reigate brought in new ideas and just built on a good foundation and hopefully the [exam] results will show that.
"Certainly in the atmosphere in the college, I have noticed a very big difference.
"Students seem much keener on learning and taking a full part in the college.
"I hope that local parents and students will now be attracted to it."
He added: "Someone just stopped me on the parade of shops [in Old Coulsdon] and said how much better [behaved] the students are than they used to be."
