COLCHESTER Royal Grammar School has again been rated “outstanding” by inspectors.

Ofsted also said that the 30 or so sixth-formers who pay £13,200 a year to board at the state-funded selective academy school perform better than students who only attend during the day.

Colchester Royal Grammar School, which was founded in 1206, was judged “outstanding” across all categories.

This included the overall experience and progress of children and young people, the quality of care and support, how well they are protected and the impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Inspectors declared: “The boarding experience delivers consistent outstanding care to young people who make exceptional progress in their education and personal development and acquire skills that will prepare them for future life.

“Leaders and managers are clear that boarding brings added value to the school.

“It makes a vital contribution to helping those who board to meet their full academic potential.

“A comparison of results between boarders and young people attending the main school confirms the boarders routinely achieve better exam results.”

The report also said: “Young people are highly self-motivated to achieve the results necessary to gain entry into the country’s top universities.

“At the same time, staff work closely with parents to ensure that young people balance study with sports, creative pursuits and experiences with the community.

“Courtesy and consideration are embedded in the school culture and the mix of boarders is diverse.

“They learn to question the world around them but accept different cultures and opinions.

This gives them great confidence as they start independence.”

“Young people make exceptional progress in all areas of their lives. Staff and managers promote a culture of achievement.

“Young people make remarkable progress because knowledgeable staff care for them and help them to settle.

“Boarding staff are extremely alert and empathetic to the experiences of boarders.”

“Academic results for the school continue to be exceptional,” inspectors added.

Headmaster John Russell was unavailable for comment.