The headteacher of an academy in Harpenden said he is "delighted" the school has been judged Outstanding by Ofsted.

Raymond McGovern’s comments come after the education watchdog visited St George’s School and gave it the highest possible rating because it provides an "outstanding education for its children".

The academy in Sun Lane teaches more than 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 18. The school converted to an academy on July 1, 2012 and this was its first inspection as an academy.

Inspectors visited 40 lessons and jointly observed nine with senior leaders during a two day visit earlier this month - seven days into the new school term. 

Inspectors judged to school to be outstanding in all five key judgement areas, describing it as "a thriving and cohesive learning community".

The report said the quality of teaching at the school is outstanding and teachers have high expectations of all students.

It said: "The vast majority of students work hard and have outstanding attitudes to learning. They are highly motivated to achieve well. Relationships are excellent across the whole academy.

"The headteacher’s high expectations of all staff and students, shared by all leaders, are an important reason why achievement continues to be outstanding."

Raymond McGovern said: "The Ofsted inspection team were clearly very impressed by what they saw during their two day inspection and it confirms what we already knew, that St George’s is an outstanding school community." 

He went on to praise the pupils at the school whom he described as being some of the most amazing young people that he has worked with. 

He added: "The really impressive thing is that the behaviour that the inspection team witnessed is the same behaviour that we expect of pupils all the time and which many of our visitors to the school comment upon.

"Schools can focus on raising standards by implementing a wide range of strategies and using good practice from elsewhere, but relationships which are founded on respect throughout the organisation are always the key."

One strength of the school mentioned in the report is the curriculum, both inside and outside the classroom. It said: "Students enjoy an exciting and stimulating curriculum.  A diverse range of additional activities helps them to develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding extremely well."

The sixth form was also judged to be outstanding with leaders making an "excellent impact" on achievement, teaching and behaviour.

The report said the governing body is highly influential in the academy’s success, and that its members are knowledgeable and provide an "excellent level of support and challenge".

Chairman of Governors, Kevin Parsons, said: "Governors are delighted with the outstanding judgement delivered by Ofsted. This is an endorsement of the dedicated and passionate hard work of the staff and senior leadership team. It is evidence that St George’s does everything it can to ensure that pupils not only make excellent progress but also develop as intelligent well rounded young people who are very well prepared for the life that awaits them." 

The timing of the inspection and report are well placed to support the Harpenden Secondary Schools’ Trust, of which St George’s is a key member, in its application to the Department of Education to open a fourth secondary school in the town.