ALTON College has once again confirmed its position as one of the best ten colleges in the country.

At a ceremony in London earlier this week, the college was awarded ÔBeaconÕ status by the government, one of only seven such colleges out of over 400 to have been recognised in this way.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ivan Williams, Under Secretary of State, said: ÒBeacons represent the very best that the post-16 sector has to offer. The standard is high and challenging, and deliberately so. You have demonstrated excellence in the teaching and learning you provide, underpinned by strong and effective leadership and management.Ó

He added: ÒYour commitment to excellence is clear from the top class inspection results you have received.Ó

The minister said that he wanted Alton College to help the government in its ambition to raise standards in other colleges to the level achieved at Alton.

ÒThe college is proud to have been selected for Beacon status,Ó said principal Michael Gray. ÒI am pleased that the very hard work of staff, students and governors has yet again been recognised.Ó

The news comes at a land-mark time for the college, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2003.

Twenty-five years ago last month Michael Gray was appointed principal although he did not take up the appointment officially until April, 1978. He used an office in the Old EggarÕs Grammar School building, now converted to residential accommodation, until the college buildings opened in September of that year.

ÒAlton College was one of only a handful of sixth form colleges to have been purpose-built. The foundations had been laid when I was appointed, but little else, and even when the college opened to its first students in September 1978, some building remained to be done.

ÒFor the first term we lacked a library and science laboratories,Ó recalled Mr Gray.

EggarÕs School sixth form was due to close in September 1978, but in the event the second year sixth completed their A levels at EggarÕs because so many more students applied to join the new college than Hampshire County Council had predicted, that they could not be accommodated.

Alton College grew rapidly as a result of its academic reputation until, from being the smallest college in Hampshire, it grew to be one of the largest.

ÒWe now employ as many people as we had students when we opened 25 years ago,Ó said Mr Gray.