A STATE-funded grammar school has had its outstanding reputation enhanced still further with the same top grading for its boarding provision.

Ripon Grammar School has capacity for 95 boy and girl boarders, who pay to board but not for tuition and who enjoy an "outstanding" experience, according to Ofsted.

Inspectors said the school's boarding provision "consistently exceeds the standards of good" and that it "contributes to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people."

The inspectors said that improvement in boarders' achievement records, academic results and higher education plans after A Levels, was evident.

Headmaster Marin Pearman, who retires at the end of term, said: "This is a tremendous outcome of which we should all be very proud, and I am deeply grateful to all the staff, students and parents who contributed to the inspection."

He added: "'Outstanding' does not mean perfect and there are some areas to address over the coming year, but I am delighted with the inspectors' appraisal."