ST JOHN'S COLLEGE, Nottingham, has been praised for its "contemporary" feel and "innovative" learning methods by inspectors from the Ministry Division of the Archbishops' Council.

An inspection report, published on Monday of last week, expresses "confidence" in 11 out of 16 criteria, and "confidence with qualifications" in the other five, including its teaching staff and "business planning and risk management". It says that these areas were already "receiving rigorous attention" when the inspectors visited.

At the time of the inspection, in February, St John's was training 72 C of E ordinands. It celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

The report says that the inspection took place "at a time of considerable change for St John's". Its Principal, the Revd Dr David Hilborn, had joined ten months before, succeeding Dr Christina Baxter, who was Principal for 15 years.

The report notes that the college "feels very contemporary. There is a clear and commendable desire to be abreast of current thought." It also praises the college's "fresh and stimulating learning environment, which caters for differing learning styles, and which is flexible to the needs of the learning objectives in view."

Last year, St John's successfully passed an inspection by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, which monitors quality and standards in university education (News, 5 October).

The full inspection report can be read at www.churchofengland.org.

www.stjohns-nottm.ac.uk