ALTON College principal Jane Machell has called it a day after more than 12 years at the helm.

The college, voted Hampshire’s second highest Top Performing College 2015 by The Sunday Times, has been graded “outstanding” in all areas in the past two inspections – an achievement of which Ms Machell should be justifiably proud.

Ms Machell took over leadership of the Old Odiham Road college from its inaugural principal, Michael Gray, and more than 20,000 students from across four counties have passed through the college during her tenure.

During that time Ms Machell has seen the college grow from a small number of classrooms into an impressive university-style campus boasting facilities such as an industry standard media suite, science labs, Wessex Arts Performing Arts Centre, and even a Starbucks cafe.

The most recent addition was the Sonardyne Centre for Engineering and Design Technology opened by Sir Robert Winston in 2013 which allows the college to offer specialist STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) courses alongside its array of core, creative and sports subjects which students can study at both A-level and as a vocational qualification.

Ms Machell has described her time at the college as humbling.

Paying tribute to the staff and the huge part they have played in her career, she said: “I have been humbled to be the principal at Alton College for more than 12 years.

“Humbled because of my huge admiration for the diligent, professional and experienced staff and the continued dedication to students past and present.”

“We deliver fantastic A-level provision and we have also developed our fantastic vocational courses,” she said, adding that the college also offers a ‘more able and talented’ programme which covers everything from special support in applying to Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities to extra-curriculum enrichment for gifted students.

The outgoing principal said: “Last summer it was incredible to see 100 per cent of students pass the extended project qualification, with 98 per cent achieving a fantastic A-C grade.”

And she added: “I am also hugely proud of our foundation degrees, skills for learning and high needs provision. We are respected highly for this.”

In describing the opportunity to study at at Alton College as an experience which goes beyond gaining qualifications and a bridge between school and university and employment, Ms Machell said: “Students need knowledge, skills and creativity to enable them to have skills and emotional resilience for their next steps for the future and that’s what they gain at Alton College.”

In paying tribute to Ms Machell and her service to the college, and in wishing her a happy retirement, Ian Gibson, chairman of Alton College’s governing body, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Jane, on behalf of the college and the corporation, for her hard work and leadership over the past 12 years. She has been of great value to the organisation and has had a significant influence on its success.”

Sara Russell, former senior vice-principal for curriculum, succeeds Ms Machell.