BISHOP Wordsworth’s Grammar School has had its first Ofsted inspection in 16 years. 

Most recently rated oustanding in December 2006, the school has again achieved the top rating. 

The government body has said the school's curriculum is "rigorous and ambitious for all pupils, with academic subjects at the heart".

It added: "Leaders extremely high expectations of pupils. Pupils strive to meet these, and behaviour is exemplary. Students in the sixth form relish being positive role models for younger pupils and take this responsibility seriously. There is a strong culture of respect, courtesy and community."

Bullying is very rare at the school, and it is stopped quickly if it does happen. 

The report also says: "Pupils develop their talents through the myriad of extracurricular activities. These include sports teams, several music clubs, and clubs for computer coding, philosophy and pottery. The tenets of the Christian faith are integral to the life of the school and contribute strongly to pupils’ moral and social development." 

Bishops Wordsworth's School Head Master Dr Stuart Smallwood said: "Such a glowing outcome is no accident. It comes about as a result of a group of professionals working hard as a team, determined to do the very best for the youngsters in their care. We are all really proud of the emphatic endorsement of our work that this report represents. Whether staff were at the eye of the storm during those days in November or not is in many ways immaterial, as many of the conclusions are based on evidence of the culture that is part of life here on a daily basis.

"I should, however, give a special mention to those departmental and other teams who were the focus of the so-called ‘deep dives’ etc, where inspectors took a forensic look at what we do and the impact that has on the boys and girls at Bishop’s.  We have the opportunity to change young lives for the better, and I think that this report shows that this is what we are doing right now."

When asked why there was 16 years between inspections, the school said: "The reason for for the long timescale since our last inspection is due to a decision that schools which were judged outstanding at that time were then exempt from reinspection. 

"Their aim was to focus more resource on inspection of schools that were deemed to be less than good."

To read the report in full, click here.