A college has been praised for the wide range of courses it offers its students.

Bicester Community College received a good report from the education watchdog Ofsted, celebrating the success of its curriculum.

Inspectors said the 1,376-student college's specialist technology status had been effective in broadening the curriculum and in establishing partnerships which have enhanced students' choices.

The report said: "The curriculum offers a very wide variety of courses which meet the full range of students' needs and capab- ilities."

The report praised "the exceptionally wide-ranging choice of after-school activities", adding: "They enrich students learning and make a significant contribution to their enjoyment, to their personal development and to their achievement."

Headteacher Cynthia Bartlett was praised for her "clear strategic direction focused on steady improvement of students' achieve- ment".

The report referred to the quality of education as "satisfactory" with "good" and "outstanding" features.

Importantly, under the new inspection arrangements in schools, it also acknowledged the college's accurate self-evaluation, which identified key areas for development, including raising standards further.

Mrs Bartlett said: "We know that students are well served here and the inspection team agreed.

We are pleased that this inspection has underlined the good work of the college in preparing young people for their future and has recognised the outstanding curriculum which it offers."