ANOTHER outstanding year will be celebrated on Wednesday at Bury College's annual general meeting which will highlight its achievements and those of students, staff and partners.

The past year was marked by the college being awarded National Learning and Skills Beacon Status and recognition of the high quality teaching and learning at the college. The award confirms Bury College's reputation for its strong student focus and its quality provision.

Also, A-level students achieved the college's highest pass rate ever, above the national average at 98 per cent and excellent results for the Vocational A-Level and National Diplomas were achieved with a pass rate well above the national average.

College principal Dr Helen Gilchrist said: "Achieving Beacon Status gives Bury College the highest level of recognition possible for our work with learners of all ages and sets the seal on the college's reputation for quality and responsiveness to all sections of the community."

In addition, the quality of training Solutions provision has been confirmed with the award of a Grade 2 for the Business Administration sector at audit from the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) in January.

The latest re-inspection report now ranks Training Solutions as one of the best training providers in the region, delivering to more than 500 Apprentices over a wide variety of occupational areas.

Looking ahead, construction will be completed on the new arts and humanities building by October. The state-of-the-art building will be open for use next January.