COLLEGES, schools and training providers in Herefordshire are celebrating following the announcement of the highly favourable results of the recent Area Wide Inspection (AWI).

Conducted by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) and Ofsted earlier this year, the two-day inspection scrutinised all education and training available to 14 to 19 year olds in the county.

The inspectors awarded Herefordshire the second highest possible grade available and officially classed provision as good.

AWI inspectors interviewed the local Learning and Skills Council (LSC), Local Education Authority (LEA), Connexions and local learning partnerships - as well as staff in schools, colleges and training providers, governors, parents and young people.

ALI inspectors found local teenagers had access to good provision in five out of the six key categories and particularly praised the good leadership and the clear vision of those working together to deliver education, as well as the overall standards of attainment at Key Stage 4 (GCSE).

Further praise came for the county's achievements in boosting work-related and vocational learning opportunities for nearly 8,000 young people in a county where 87 per cent of Year 11 school-leavers remain in full-time education and nearly 70 per cent of those leaving post sixth-form remain in some sort of full-time education.

Ted St George, head of school effectiveness at Herefordshire Council, said: "Herefordshire Council is very pleased with the outcome of the report, which demonstrates the area is giving good value for money, our pupils are achieving high standards and that partnership working between the council, the local LSC and Connexions Service, together with the colleges, schools and work-based learning providers is working extremely well."

Roger Little, chief executive at the Connexions Service, added: "The report is a ringing endorsement of the effective way in which key partners are working together to provide opportunities for young people and to raise their levels of achievement.

"For a service which was less than three years old at the time of the inspection, it is particularly pleasing to read the needs of most young people are very well met by the Connexions Service."

Alan Curless, executive director of the local LSC, the body responsible for funding all post-16 learning in Herefordshire, added: "Collaboration has been crucial in achieving this outstanding success and will continue to be so as we look to widen the curriculum further. It will also prove a key factor if we are to successfully address the ALI's recommendations, most notably in improving the county's education accommodation."