ALLENBOURN Middle School is at the top of the class following an inspection at short notice from Ofsted.

The 608-pupil mixed school received the highest possible grades across the board after four government inspectors observed 40 lessons, met staff and governors and held meetings with pupils during a visit last month.

Head teacher Derek Brooks said he is delighted the school has retained its rating of outstanding, despite a new inspection framework considered to be tougher than ever.

“Everyone associated with the school worked extremely hard to maintain the quality of teaching and learning” said Mr Brooks. “Our goal has always been to be an excellent learning environment and we are proud to have our ambitious plans so resoundingly endorsed by the inspection team.”

Inspectors said pupils at the school, in East Borough, Wimborne, make “impressive progress” and said achievement in English and maths is outstanding by the end of Year 8.

They described behaviour around the site and in lessons as “exemplary” and said instances of poor behaviour are “very rare.”

Inspectors added: “The head teacher’s vision and high standards are communicated clearly” and said: “There is a very wide range of activities and opportunities for pupils.”

Children aged between nine and 13 attend the school from Wimborne and the surrounding area, with increasing numbers travelling from Bournemouth and Poole.

Chair of Governors John Howarth said: “This is a fantastic achievement which everybody associated with the school is very proud of. “The staff and pupils fully deserve this recognition for all of their hard work commitment.”