A STATE school which was founded in 1555 has been officially rated “outstanding” for the first time in its history.

Ofsted inspectors concluded Ripon Grammar School’s 854 pupils were “well-rounded, confident individuals” and that they received “challenging and intellectually stimulating” lessons.

The report said: “Students enter the school with attainment that is above the national average and most students’ attainment is well above this.”

It said the gap between boys’ and girls’ achievement at the selective school - which had been identified during its previous inspection - had largely disappeared.

Inspectors said the school needed to improve some of its provision for 70 boarding pupils and that further work was needed to raise the skills of some of its leaders.

Headteacher Martin Pearman said: “The challenge now is to make the school even better. Ripon Grammar School is not perfect and there is much work still to be done, as outlined in the school’s development plan. There will be no complacency from governors or the leadership team.”