DEDICATED students, hi-tech teaching methods and a little respect have led to a college receiving national acclaim.

Christ the King Sixth Form College has become the first college in the country to be labelled "outstanding", under the new Ofsted rating system.

Bosses at the school, in Belmont Grove, Lewisham, say the praise reflects the hard work put in by staff and students.

Since September, education inspectorate Ofsted has rated schools and colleges on five categories effectiveness of provision, capacity to improve, achievement and standards, quality of provision and leadership and management.

In each area the school or college is given a grade between 1 (outstanding) and 4 (inadequate).

Christ the King scored a grade 1 in four of the five categories and is the first in Britain to be rated outstanding for effectiveness of provision.

This category takes into account overall standards of teaching and learning and the college's financial position.

Assistant principal Shireen Razey said: "We are absolutely overjoyed.

"We were confident of getting a good report but to be the first to get a grade 1 is beyond what we expected."

Last year the college, which opened 12 years ago, scored an 89 per cent A level pass rate.

Miss Razey puts this down to the hard work of teachers and the introduction of innovative teaching methods, such as interactive whiteboards.

The college has also recently opened a newly-refurbished learning resource centre, equipped with 120 new computers.

In its report Ofsted praises the college's management and governors for their "outstanding leadership".

It also says the college has delivered excellent results despite being in "one of the most socially deprived local authorities in the country".

Miss Razey believes the attitude of the school's 1,398 students half of whom come from ethnic minority groups has been key to its success.

She added: "We try to install an ethos of self-respect and having respect for others.

"Our students are so dedicated. The fact we are in a deprived area makes our achievement all the greater."