Another Bath secondary school has made it into Britain's top class.

Staff and pupils at Hayesfield School are celebrating after being assessed as "outstanding" by Ofsted.

Inspectors awarded Hayesfield top marks in every aspect of the judging criteria, including overall effectiveness and achievement, and standards.

The verdict means four of the seven state secondary schools in Bath are now rated as outstanding.

The national proportion of such schools is 17 per cent, while the figure for the city is 43 per cent.

Headteacher Erica Draisey said she was delighted with the report.

She said: "To gain an outstanding overall and outstanding in all categories, including the sixth form, is a testament to how effectively the whole school community works to provide an exceptional educational experience for all the students who attend Hayesfield School.

"We place a strong emphasis on working with parents to ensure that all the children in our care make the very most of their talents and skills."

The predominantly girls' school, which has 1,144 pupils, including those in its mixed sixth form, has improved since its last inspection in May 2006 when it was graded "good".

Inspectors praised the quality of teaching and pupil support and described the students as "articulate, confident and rightly positive" about the school.

The report also said that one parent had told inspectors that "the school's excellence is in its ability to nurture pupils and give them confidence in themselves."

The school has recently submitted a planning application for a new £11 million sports and performing arts development and inspectors said this would combat the current lack of sports provision.

Chair of governors Colin McInnes said the inspection results were just one of many recent successes for the school.

He said: "This is an exciting time in the history of the school, given the excellent Ofsted report, the planned new Performing Arts and Sports facilities and the formation of the Bath Education Trust."

The trust will see the school strengthen its links with Beechen Cliff School and the University of Bath.

The two other secondary schools rated as outstanding by Ofsted are St Gregory's Catholic College and Oldfield School.