AN AMERSHAM school was celebrating this week after being given top marks following a report by inspectors.

Dr Challoner's Grammar School was declared outstanding' by Ofsted in all 51 areas that they were inspected on, to the delight of headmaster Dr Mark Fenton.

Dr Fenton said: "The inspection report has been a great fillip to all of us at Challoner's. Even though the inspection team was only here for the day, the outcome represents four years of hard work of which we are all very proud.

"Although we were expecting a good result, getting outstanding' grades in all 51 categories was a special achievement, something which only a few other schools across the country have achieved."

The school, which has a total of 1,291 pupils and 380 sixth form students, was assessed on areas that included quality of teaching, leadership and achievement.

The report stated: "Dr Challoner's provides an outstanding quality of education and care. It is held in high regard by the vast majority of its students and their parents and rightly so.

"Standards are exceptionally high in all key stages and are improving over time. Students enter with standards that are well above average and results in the national tests for 14-year-olds are exceptionally high. Performance in science and mathematics is particularly strong, with almost all students gaining the highest level.

"Achievement overall is outstanding and compares well with other selective schools nationally. This is because the school's ethos of 'excellence with integrity' motivates students to perform to the best of their ability."

The inspection was carried out on November 12, with inspectors speaking to staff and students and observing lessons. The report concluded the pupils showed a genuine zest for learning and displayed excellent attitudes in all aspects of school life.

Dr Fenton added: "It was particularly pleasing that the inspectors made a point of recognising the efforts we have made to involve the students even more in their learning and the running of the school."