THE head teacher and head girl of a St Albans secondary school have both praised teachers, staff and pupils after receiving an “outstanding” grading in every category following a recent Ofsted inspection.

A team of five inspectors carried out at two-day inspection at St Albans Girls School (STAGS), and graded the school as outstanding in the quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils, leadership and management and pupils’ achievement.

In their summary, the Ofsted inspectors explained that any shortcomings in pupils’ work was “speedily addressed” and that high quality training for teachers and leaders had “played a major part in raising standards”.

The report added: “Students’ attitudes to learning, behaviour and all aspects of school life are exemplary.”

When it came to the achievement of pupils, the report said that in the 2012 GCSE examinations, students’ overall progress across the subjects was within the top seven per cent nationally.

With regard to behaviour and safety, inspectors said that pupils were, “unfailingly polite, courteous and welcome to all.

“The small number of boys studying in the sixth form say that they were made to feel very welcome and were well integrated into the school.”

Headteacher Margaret Chapman said: “I am extremely grateful to all members of the school community, staff, parents and governors for the hard work, dedication and support given to our students.”

And head girl Poppy Nash added: “When Ofsted visited two weeks ago we were nervous that they would only see a small snippet of how amazing our school is but our excellent teaching and sense of community won out.”