Waltham Forest College has been rated “good” by Ofsted inspectors for the first time in its history.

A report published by the education watchdog on Monday praised teachers and staff at the school for the progress made by learners.

The college, in Forest Road, Walthamstow, had suffered in recent years with financial troubles, as well as poor results.

As recently as January 2017, Ofsted has said the college still required improvement.

But, publishing the findings of an inspection in February, Ofsted said staff had “worked hard to raise the overall quality and effectiveness of provision across the college.”

Inspectors also noted managers had undertaken a major review of the college’s financial situation since the last inspection – a move that had “helped assure longer-term sustainability and suitability” of the centre.

The college’s work with young people was rated good as was its education and training for adults.

“The good range and high quality of adult provision enable learners to improve their life chances.” Adults “develop valuable personal, social and work-related skills,” Ofsted’s report said.

Inspectors also rated highly the teachers’ work to develop literacy and numeracy skills and the way in which these are linked to developing skills for employment.

Ofsted also noted most students at the college were able to find work or move on to other education after leaving.

“On completion of their courses at college, a high proportion of learners successfully progress to the next stage of their education and training, or into employment,” the report said.

“Many learners progress to a higher level of course at the college, or other local colleges.

“In addition, an increasing proportion of adult learners from access courses, and learners aged 16 to 18, successfully gain places at universities.”

Waltham Forest College principal, Penny Wycherley, said: “I am incredibly proud of the report, the staff and students are the ones who have turned the college around.

“There are always difficult decisions to be made, especially when you are in the public sector and money is tight, staff did not have a pay rise in seven years.

“But, what everyone was clear about was that the students came first.”

“The college is now what the borough is – it is amazingly diverse and that is what drew me to it in the first place.”