Christmas has come early for a Caister special school, after learning it had achieved outstanding status in its latest Ofsted inspection.

John Grant School, which caters to children with complex needs between the ages of four and 19, is celebrating after being judged as outstanding across the board by the governing body.

The school on St George's Drive was visited on October 31, with the inspectorate giving it the top rating in all six categories assessed - as well as overall.

The result demonstrates an impressive turnaround for the school, which, in October 2012, was told it requires improvement.

Pam Ashworth, headteacher, said: 'This is a fantastic achievement. I am absolutely delighted the hard work of everyone involved with the school has been recognised.

'Our school motto is 'working together to be the best we can' and the result is a prime example of this in action.'

However, the headteacher is refusing to rest on her laurels, adding that there is always more the school can do.

'What pleases us the most is that our pupils enjoy learning and love coming to school,' she added. 'We will all be working hard to ensure that John Grant School remains an 'outstanding' school for them to learn in.'

The school, which has 142 pupils on the roll, was praised in the inspection for its staff's co-operation with one another and the mutual respect between staff, pupils and visitors.

In its previous inspection - carried out in July 2014 - the school was rated as good overall, meaning it has gone one better this time around.

The report said: 'All staff have very high expectations for what pupils can achieve. They are constantly, quietly challenging pupils to do even better.

'Pupils rise to this challenge, however complex their individual needs, because of the excellent relationship they have with staff.'

There was also high praise for the school's leadership, the safeguarding of its pupils and provisions on offer for students in the 16 to 19 age group.

The school was, however, told to ensure the school development plan clearly sets out the current priorities for improvement, and to develop support for parents by exploring ways in which the wide range of expertise in the school can be shared even more efficiently.