THE year has got off to the best possible start for a North Yorkshire school.

The Allertonshire, in Northallerton, has been highly praised and judged as "outstanding" by the Government watchdogs at Ofsted.

The school, which teaches 750 students aged 11 to 14, was given only three days' notice of the inspection at the end of November.

And the four-strong Ofsted team judged it "outstanding" in all five areas of the inspection, including achievement and standards and quality of provision.

Their report, published yesterday, stated: "All students achieve very well indeed; the progress of able students and those with learning difficulties is particularly impressive.

"Students say they enjoy school. They are keen to learn and behaviour is excellent."

The inspectors talked to a large number of students when judging the school and, in a new addition to the inspection, a report is also sent to the youngsters.

The latter concluded: "The school has really improved since the last inspection, and we feel sure it will continue to do so with your support.

"You should be very proud of your school. Well done on all your achievements. Now you have to keep up the good work."

Headteacher Madeleine Hart said: "We believe we are the first school in the area to be judged outstanding in all areas of the new-style inspection. This is due to a tremendous on-going team effort in the school from staff and students alike."

John Watson, the county's executive member for schools, said: "This is a wonderful and highly-deserved outcome for one of our schools, which reflects the hard work and commitment of the teaching staff and students."