ACCRINGTON and Rossendale College has taken 'swift and robust action' after seeing its Ofsted grade fall from 'outstanding' to 'requires improvement' in one go.

Inspectors from the education watchdog criticised the college's leadership, teaching, learners' outcomes, study programmes, apprenticeships and the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the students in the latest report.

AccRoss was given Ofsted's top rating when it was last reviewed in 2009.

The report comes after it was revealed this month that it's in talks with Burnley College over a potential merger.

Lead inspector Anita Pyrkotsch-Jones said: "Too few learners on study programmes successfully achieve their qualifications.

"Too many apprentices do not complete their apprenticeship as they do not make swift enough progress through all aspects of their frameworks; too few complete within the planned timescale.

"Too few learners attend their English and mathematics classes, achieve their qualifications or develop their skills in English and mathematics quickly enough.

"Governors were slow to identify and challenge managers about the significant decline in learner outcomes in 2014/15."

She added that students 'aren't challenged sufficiently by teachers' and actions to improve teaching, learning, assessments and outcomes have been 'too slow'

However she said that the college's provision for adult learning 'meets the needs of the local community well' and careers guidance is 'highly effective'.

Principal Sue Taylor said: “We accept the outcome of Ofsted’s visit and we are already addressing the areas for improvement, to get the college back to where it ought to be.

“The Ofsted inspectors highlighted many of the college’s strengths, and recognised that our learners develop good personal, social and work related skills which prepare them well for their next steps.

"We were praised for our strong collaborative links with employers and our community, for our inclusive and welcoming environment and for how we give our learners a broad range of opportunities to develop the skills needed for their future employment.

"Our adult learning programmes were identified as particularly strong.

“We are confident that we are building upon these strengths and that we have taken swift and robust action to address the areas for improvement.

"We are fully expecting this year`s results to return us to at least 'good'."