TRURO College's excellent inspection and exam performances have resulted in them being awarded "Beacon Status" by the Government - one of only four colleges in the country to receive such a high accolade.

The new "Beacon" status is awarded to colleges and work-based providers who are judged to be top performers by the Learning and Skills Council. Truro College is among the first four colleges to be awarded the status, and it is hoped by the Department of Education and Skills that they will spread their good practice to other educational institutions - both in Cornwall and across the country.

Yet despite such high achievements, government figures show that each student in Cornwall over 16 gets £80 less spent on them than the national average. On these figures, a sixth form college of 500 students will lose out to the cost of 40,000 - meaning they have less money to spend on teachers, books, and building maintenance.

Principal Jonathan Burnett said the whole college should feel pride in the award.

"Truro College has been in existence for nine years. In this time all staff have done everything we can to provide the best education for our students. This award recognises Truro College as one of the highest achieving colleges in the whole country. All staff and students should feel pride and satisfaction on gaining this award.

Matthew Taylor MP said: "It is fantastic news that Truro has received such a high accolade - and it is worthy praise for all the teachers and students who have worked hard to create and maintain such high standards.

"What is even more impressive is that Truro College have managed to attain such high performance standards in light of the funding inequalities that most financial institutions in Cornwall have to face - this makes it a double achievement for them."