Children and staff at a Lowestoft residential special school are celebrating after receiving a top of the class 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted inspectors.
The report is the fifth time the residential provision at the Ashley School Academy Trust has attained the highest possible rating, from the education regulator, in the last six years.
Inspectors, who carried out the annual inspection in November 2016, said the support The Ashley School Academy Trust residential staff give to pupils had seen 'excellent social, emotional and educational progress.'
Sally Garrett, head teacher at The Ashley School Academy Trust, said: 'We are hugely proud to receive this outstanding report which accurately reflects the dedication of the staff- which they show through their day to day work and commitment to the school.
'We are particularly proud the report recognises the progress made in reading, academic and social education for pupils- this could not be achieved without the whole school's commitment.'
The Ashley School Academy Trust has 137 pupils aged between seven and 16-years-old with 54 children staying between one and four nights a week.
Residential accommodation is provided in two houses located on the school site.
An inspection carried out over three days in November, by Ashley Hinson, lead social care inspector, said 'children enjoy residential life' and 'engage in a variety of activities which provide them with the opportunity to experience new things.'
The 'outstanding' rating follows an earlier inspection in 2016 which saw the school rated as 'good'.
However, the most recent inspection noted how leaders of the school led by example and had 'responded to the disappointment of the judgements at the last inspection with focus and determination.'
Mrs Garrett added: 'We are always driven to improve the school and recognise the changes in pupils and their environment to make sure we keep providing to meet their needs.
'And we are always trying to make sure that we are ahead of the game. As the climate changes, we have to make sure communication is good among all staff to make sure the needs of the pupils are met.
'Thanks also go to all our parents and carers for their support.'
To read the full report visit: www.reports.ofsted.gov.uk
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