YOUNGSTERS and staff were celebrating when they took top honours after their school inspection.

Bishopbriggs Academy has become the first secondary in Scotland to earn four "excellent" grades under new inspection guidelines.

The East Dunbartonshire school's report, released yesterday, gives it some of the best marks in Scotland.

Inspectors awarded the school four "excellent" evaluations and one "very good".

And Dr Alasdair Allan, Scottish Government Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages, visited Bishopbriggs Academy to launch the report.

Councillor Eric Gotts, Convener of Education at East Dunbartonshire Council, said: "This is an outstanding report which acknowledges and reflects the first-class education provided by all the staff at Bishopbriggs Academy.

"Among the many strengths highlighted in the report, inspectors noted that pupils learn and achieve exceptionally well and that there is a culture of achievement and aspiration for all young people."

Watchdogs praised the school's quality of support for pupils, learning and achievement and the outstanding leadership of the head teacher.

As well as academic achievement, the school also provides pupils with extracurricular activities, including music, sport and drama clubs.

The report reads: "Young people are developing a wide range of skills and attributes extremely well to prepare them for life and work.

"Through learning and working collaboratively in a vast range of contexts including cultural and sporting activities and in the community, young people achieve success in local, national and international competitions and awards.

"Team-working skills are very well developed.

"Young people are able to link and apply a range of skills and different kinds of learning in a range of situations.

"They take on a variety of roles and responsibilities with ease and are developing leadership skills well, including through the Youth Philanthropy Initiative and The Duke of Edinburgh's Award schemes.

"Young people from S1 to S3 are making very good progress across their broad general education.

"They demonstrate a sound awareness of the literacy and numeracy skills they are developing in a range of meaningful and engaging contexts across the curriculum."

The glowing report card also praises the school for the commitment and dedication of staff to the school and its "confident and articulate" pupils.

Gordon Moulsdale, head teacher, added: "Our staff work incredibly hard to ensure that the education we provide for our young people is of the very highest standard by any measurement and we are delighted Education Scotland were so impressed by all that they saw.

"We are extremely proud of our young people and our staff. We enjoy very strong links with our parents, who give us tremendous support, and we are determined that by working together with all our partners, the school will continue to go from strength to strength."