New College, which accounted for 60 per cent of Swindon's A-level entries, fell just below the national average, with 227.5 points.

But principal Graham Taylor pointed to the fact that GCSE results in Swindon are lower than average and that his college gives a second chance to pupils who didn't perform as well as they hoped to at school.

He added: ''We are very pleased with our performance, given our size and our open access policy, which welcomes students of all abilities some with pretty low GCSE scores on entry.

"Last year 296 students went on to University, the largest number in the region, and 11 won places at Oxford and Cambridge.

"New College is pleased to be above the local average and is working hard to improve the student experience and student support. The new building and learning aids will help.''

At the start of this year, students moved into a £15 million new building off Queens Drive, which was officially opened in February by the Duke of Edinburgh.

And work is set to start tomorrow on a new sports centre for the college.

Principal Graham Taylor will be joined by governors, staff, students and contractors Midas Property Services to tighten the first bolt on the building's steel frame, which has been erected just 23 days into the contract.

The new centre, which is being funded by the college and the Learning and Skills Council, will provide a state-of-the-art resource not only for the college but for local sports and community groups as well.

It will replace the 32 year old former sports hall.

Mr Taylor said: "The college has an excellent reputation for sport. The New College Academy Football Team, who play in the Hellenic League, are having a great season, and we are strong in netball, hockey and athletics too.

"Many of our former pupils have even made national squads. The new sports centre will provide an excellent resource for our learners wanting to make a career out of sport or simply needing exercise and enjoyment, as well as providing local sports, leisure and fitness groups with a valuable new facility."

The hall is set for completion by mid-September.