A SCHOOL for children with special educational needs has turned around an 'inadequate' rating and is now ranked as 'good.'

Our Place Schools has been awarded a "good" rating by childcare watchdog Ofsted after being told it needed to improve in the last two inspections.

The school, in Bransford, dropped its "satisfactory" rating from 2011 to "requires improvement" in 2014 and then "inadequate" in 2018.

In a glowing inspection, Ofsted said: "Our Place is a happy school", adding that the atmosphere was "calm" and "purposeful."

Ofsted praised the group for reaching an overall rating of good, receiving improved marks for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The visit, which took place between June 29 and July 1, found that the school successfully met the independent schools standards.

Our Place provides for students with a range of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in the areas of communication and interaction, including autism spectrum disorder, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory impairment.

The inspector said: "The aim of the curriculum is clear- to prepare pupils for adulthood, building their confidence and independence alongside academic success. The curriculum is ambitious and offers pupils different pathways to meet their needs."

"Pupils develop trust and confidence because of the positive relationships they have with staff.

"Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.

"Parents feel that their children are well cared for at this school.”

David French, executive director of the Our Place Schools group, said he was "delighted" at the excellent outcome.

He said: "The school has been rated “Good” in all aspects of the inspection.

"The staff are delighted that the merits of the specialist and individualised education provided to the school’s pupils is recognised by the government’s official compliance watchdog as being amongst the best in the country.”

"This is another feather in the cap for the local independent school that is going from strength to strength in providing a caring and stimulating environment for young people with special education needs and who are looking to build on the success of this Inspection and to work towards becoming “outstanding.""