GIRLS reach their full potential at Bolton School, inspectors found.

Bolton School girls' division was marked as "excellent" by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the government's education watchdog for private schools..

Pupils' achievement and learning was given the top mark, with inspectors stating: "Throughout the school, pupils have an exemplary attitude to learning, apply their skills confidently and achieve high academy standards."

The inspection reported on the progress and achievement of children and pupils in years one to 13, covering Beech House, Hesketh House and the senior school.

The school's curriculum was described as "excellent and comprehensive" as was the quality of teaching and the report found that "lessons are well planned and teaching is enthusiastic and benefits from outstanding subject knowledge".

Inspectors said: "The school is highly successful in meeting its aim to realise the potential of each pupil.

"Pupils speak with gratitude about their teachers' willingness to go the extra mile."

The report also praised pupils who "work well together and individually" and are very successful in a wide range of extra-curricular activities including music, drama and games.

Students' contribution to their local community was described as "outstanding".

The quality of pupils' personal development was given top marks with pupils described as "self-assured, purposeful and mutually supportive" stating that "they readily accept responsibility and assume a variety of leadership roles".

Headmistress Sue Hincks said: "We were delighted with the findings and I think teachers, pupils and parents can all feel proud of the result.

"Our success is very much built on the relationships between home, school and pupil.

"We work hard to ensure the children and young people in our care are happy and content.

"This means that they can focus wholly on their studies and benefit from exceptional teaching.

"I was delighted that our early years foundation stage provision was found to be outstanding and that it was praised for developing a love of learning.

"We see the benefits of this trait as the girls and boys develop further in our junior and senior schools."