A college has been given top marks by the Government body that inspects and regulates boarding schools.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) found that Harrogate Ladies' College, North Yorkshire, meets the highest standards in 46 elements of boarding care, and has exceeded them in a further four.

Three inspectors spent two-and-a-half days at the school earlier this year.

They held discussions with boarders, interviewed staff, ate with pupils, inspected records and made early morning and late evening visits.

They concluded that the college exceeds the highest standards expected in the provision of staff support for boarders, integration of, and support for, overseas students, the standard of boarding house accommodation and facilities for organised and private study for boarders.

Headmistress Dr Margaret Hustler said: "The CSCI's standards of excellence are extremely stringent, and rightly so.

"In my experience it's virtually unheard of to exceed the standards and to do so in four elements is a tremendous accolade for the school and testimony to the dedication of our staff."

The college, which is celebrating its centenary this year, is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged from ten to 18. It has 341 pupils, of whom 176 are boarders.