PAST and present students at New College Worcester have been celebrating triple success with a special day of events.

New College, which provides education for blind and partially sighted students, has announced that it will become independent of the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) on June 1. It has also gained specialist special school status, as well as being graded as outstanding by Ofsted inspectors.

To mark the success, the Whittington Road college held a celebration day where past and present students took part in music and sport activities.

"It was a fantastic day," said college spokeswoman Annaliese Stanton.

The college has been in negotiations with the RNIB so that the college can become an independent non-maintained special school. This is now expected to be complete by June 1.

Headteacher Mardy Smith said: "The governors and staff are committed to building on the college's outstanding success."